In a fun-to-read blog article, Darth Vader (Star Wars) and Samantha Carter (Stargate TV series) conspire to destroy the solar system.

The result: A paradox.

But actually, not. There is no paradox, and the reasons have profound spiritual implications. Don’t believe it? Read the article (and my reply!) to see if you agree: Count Infinity: It Never Happened

Our discussion started because of this tragic article (caution: some PG-13 content). Some people commented that not only was the bullying a problem, but Brodie’s handling of the bullying was a big issue. Who was watching out for her? Was she ever taught to be assertive? Why was she so emotionally vulnerable?

A Christ-Centered Response

My children did get some bullying in public schools, but they got detailed, careful training from me on how to handle it without resorting to bullying themselves or being stepped on too badly.

Where did I learn those skills? By being bullied myself in junior high and high school in public schools, and most importantly, by getting careful coaching from my father.

I was a year younger that the other kids, and young-looking anyway, and reasonably smart. Not a winning combination. My father was a 4th degree black belt, and he taught me some basic self defense, but that really wasn’t what helped me, at least not alone. The empowering principle for me was found in the teachings of Christ. My father taught me to defend myself a little bit (maybe), but then taught me that turning the other cheek was of paramount importance. He taught me that there are highly-specific, divine promises attached to obeying that commandment (some of which are specific to LDS doctrine as far as I know), and I sensed that he was right.

It was therefore a choice I made, a gift to the other person: “love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you and … despitefully use you, and persecute you, that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.”  I always thought that phrase “the children of your Father” was just a nice way of saying “be like Him,” but I am now convinced it refers to much more than that: specific, precious blessings that are often overlooked but clearly promised.

Friends Instead of Enemies

During this time, a new kid showed up on the bus and (meanacingly) told me to tie his shoe for him, because I had untied it. I calmly told him that I hadn’t untied it, and I wouldn’t tie it for him, he could do it himself. He told me that if I didn’t tie it he was going to beat me up when I got off the bus. I declined respectfully, without cowering.

When I got off the bus, he got off too, and started to count to ten, loudly explaining that when he reached “10″ he was going to pulverize me. All the other kids were watching. I walked slowly and deliberately, at a normal pace, not responding to the threats. (All of this came from a combination of the above teaching by my father.) Finally, I heard him running closer and closer, but I held my course. Then the running stopped and I braced myself to be hit. Nothing happened, and I kept walking, not daring to look back.

A minute later I found him walking next to me. “What’s your name?” he asked. He said he was Scott, and he asked where I lived. I pointed vaguely in the direction of home. He said he lived that way too, he had just moved in, and he wondered if I played basketball. I said I did, but not very well. He then stunned me by inviting me to his house to shoot hoops with him. That was the start of a long and good friendship. (I just reconnected with Scott via social media after all these years.)

I am so glad I responded that way instead of choosing some other approach. Thank you, Dad!

So, in school, I was bullied a lot psychologically, but I learned to handle it, and today I’m actually grateful for it! (I learned to spot the underdog, to understand their feelings, and to reach out to help them out.)

I was only actually hit twice, and I deserved it both times (I had acted in a way that was inconsistent with the principles I had been taught by verbally assaulting the other person, so they retaliated). Several times I ended up being friends with the other kid. They were trying to fit in in the best way they knew how at the time. I’m betting they even totally forgot about their bullying over time.

Bullying and Harassment Even at Church?

My friend wanted to know especially about bullying at LDS schools. We really don’t have LDS denominational schools except at the college level, not in the US anyway, so I couldn’t help him much there. However, I have seen youth taunt each other at Church (it happened to my wife a lot growing up, and she didn’t attend for two years in part because of that).

As a leader, what do you do when youth harass each other at Church?

It’s simple. You have the responsibility to make sure that everyone feels safe at church, all the time. You cannot allow it to continue. Period.

And how to you do that without creating a bigger problem yourself? How do you intervene in a Christlike manner? It’s easier than it sounds when you have the right plan. I recommend these six steps:

1. Teach the principles. Principles and well-taught doctrines affect behavior more powerfully than rules.
2. Resolve to make sure the harassment stops. Decide right now that you are not going to let it continue, no matter what it takes.
3. Start small. Use the smallest possible bandage to cover the wound, no larger, no smaller, but the bleeding must stop. Simply stopping and looking at the offender may work at first, or stepping towards two people that are having a problem. Then back away if it has stopped.
4. Keep it positive, but escalate as needed. If it continues (that time or over days or weeks), escalate your intervention by stopping and saying their name gently. Wait until the misbehavior stops. Repeat as needed, and clarify the problem only if necessary. Remember: least effort possible, but it has to stop. Avoid embarrassing them if possible.
5. Never yield. The perpetrators must never get the reward from this behavior, so make sure, with iron resolve, that you don’t let them win at the game of intimidating others. This rule is absolute, so escalate as needed until the behavior stops.
6. Always keep your response Christlike. You can’t do the Lord’s work with Satan’s tools. While being firm, cover your steel hand liberally with velvet.

For the Strength of Youth teaches these standards clearly to the young people. This is a great resource to use as you emphasize this st Church:

Show interest in others and let them know you care about them. Treat everyone with kindness and respect. Go out of your way to be a friend to those who are shy or do not feel included.

Use language that uplifts, encourages, and compliments others. Do not insult others or put them down, even in joking. Speak kindly and positively about others so you can fulfill the Lord’s commandment to love one another.

A Last-Ditch Escalation Example: When Things Get Really Bad

Even when things get really bad, you have options. My son got harassed mercilessly by one young man at Church that nobody knew how to deal with–leaders included. All the smaller escalations had failed to stop the problem.

My son finally begged me to let him punch the kid (something John had never done to anyone before), but I told him he couldn’t do that, it was inappropriate. John said: “Then what do I do! I can’t take this any more!!!” I could see in his eyes that he was telling the truth.

In a moment of (I think) true inspiration, I pointed out that the young man really liked WWF wrestling. John agreed. I pointed out that John had learned some real wrestling skills. “Ask that boy to stop. Tell him that he has to stop. Make sure you ask him, clearly and respectfully, at least three times. Then, if he doesn’t stop, do a takedown without hurting him or getting angry, pin him to the ground in front of everyone, and hold him there until he agrees to leave you alone.”

It wasn’t long before the whole scene played itself out. The kid flailed around wildly, to no avail. He could not get free. A lot of the youth were watching. The young man was mortified, but he finally agreed to leave John alone, and John let him up. That boy never, ever bothered John again, and they didn’t become enemies.

Jacob,

You asked for my “best advice” on your 19th birthday as you prepare to leave on your mission. Here it is:

1) A copy of a letter I recently wrote to Jason on his mission,
2) A book,
3) A few supplemental comments,
4) One more book, and
5) One final comment.

I hope this will help in your “quest of a lifetime” that will only end when we meet before the Lord at that great and last day. (See Boyd K. Packer, “Introduction,” Endowed from on High: Temple Preparation Seminar Teacher’s Manual, iv.)

I know that if you will follow this advice the Lord will bless you with “exceeding great and precious” blessings.

Kevin Crenshaw

The Letter

The best advice always comes from through and from the Holy Spirit. Everyone needs something different. The Spirit can tell us precisely what we need. The question is, will we listen? Will we obey? (Will we “hearken?”)

With that in mind, I start with a letter I recently wrote to my son Jason on his mission.

Jason,

You wrote:

“I know what you mean about humility. My mission has already been a very humbling experience. One of the hardest things for me is humbling myself. It’s been hard. It’s easiest for me to fix a problem if I can SEE the progress and track it on a chart. The thing about humility is that it’s not a goal that can be achieved by writing numbers on a chart or watching the progress. The more progress we think we make, or the more humble we think we are, the less progress we’ve actually made. In the end, only the Lord can tell us if we have made an adequate effort in humbling ourselves.”

My Reply:

I guess you’re right about that. I hadn’t thought of it that way before, we can’t really measure it well.

Something occurs to me. When we were in Kentucky, I started doing family history like never before and driving 6 hours to attend the temple weekly. My faith was also strengthened from personal testimonies of people who I knew were receiving great spiritual blessings, and I began asking for spiritual gifts for the right reasons. A flood of spiritual blessings began flowing into my life. The return wasn’t nearly proportional to the effort, it was way beyond the effort once the sacrifice and obedience level was great enough.

Well, the thing I want to share about that is this. During that time and beyond, I began to feel the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. It was truly as Nephi said, “If ye will enter in by the way and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show you all things what ye should do.” (2 Ne 32:5.) I literally had it given to me, at the very moment, what should be said in difficult interpersonal relationships, or when approaching someone about the gospel. A power far, far beyond my own flowed into my life.

The flip side of that was that when I began to veer off the path, even slightly, I could immediately feel it. If my humility wasn’t quite right before the Lord, I would feel uncomfortable inside. If I persisted I could feel the Spirit begin to grieve and want to leave, taking the tremendous peace with him that he had brought to my life.

I discovered that the true basis of humility is, I believe, seeking the glory of the father and the Son, not my own. Any good thing that happened, I looked to them in my heart and thanked them, acknowledging that they brought it to pass or made it possible for me to do my part. I was continually giving them glory in my heart, though not always vocally as it seemed like “casting pearls before swine” in many instances.

I believe this is the key to our success in this life in anything spiritual, in any Christlike attribute, any godly gift, including humility. Only the Lord knows and can judge if our hearts are right before him, but–and this is huge–he will tell us from moment to moment, like a precision beacon leading us to a distant landing strip, whether we are on that path or not. To receive this blessing (and I think there is almost none greater in this life) we have to pay the price.

A critical part of price is “hungering and thirsting after righteousness” and sacrificing accordingly. Elder Eyring has added that an additional requirement is an undeviating determination to obey the promptings of the Spirit when they come–that is how we get the constant companionship of the Spirit. Fully repenting of all our sins, even those we cannot remember, is another part of the price. Asking the Lord what we have done or left undone that displeases Him, so we can repent immediately, is another part. Scripture study is a part of this and becomes easier once we start down this path.

Once we get the Spirit and follow it undeviatingly, our eternal success is assured. We are blessed with greater joys than we thought possible, which confirms our faith and assures us that we are on that path, and speaks peace to our hearts.

Related scriptures:

“And blessed are all they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost.” (3 Nephi 12:6.)

“Repent, therefore, of those things which are not pleasing in my sight, saith the Lord, for the Lord will show them unto you.” (DC 66:3. This verse was a bit hard to find because of the vast number of times that the Lord says something like “I will show it to you” in the scriptures. Interesting to ponder that for a moment….)

“And every one that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit cometh unto God, even the Father.” (DC 84:47.)

“That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.” (DC 50:24.)

“But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.” (DC 59:23.)

“Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men.” (DC 11:21.)

“And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.
“Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will.
“Remember the great and last promise which I have made unto you; cast away your idle thoughts and your excess of laughter far from you.” (DC 88:67-69.)

I believe these promised blessings are well within the reach of all of us if and when we will just follow this path that the Lord has laid out for us.

Love,

Dad

The Book

Read the Book Following the Light of Christ Into His Presence by John M. Pontius. I know that this humble, ordinary man is right.

I am loaning you a copy of this book with this gift of advice. Read it before you go on your mission. (I need that book back!)

The Supplemental Comments

I share these comments because I’m not certain Bro. Pontius explains them adequately. You will probably encounter the following questions and issues as you embark on the journey he maps for you. You must choose correctly or suffer grief-even, perhaps, as the Lord simultaneously blesses you for your willingness to obey, even if your obedience was misdirected!

I hope this will help you enjoy the blessings without the grief.

How do you discern true from false revelation or non-revelation?
When should you obey a prompting?

If there is question whether inspiration is of God or from an uninspired or unworthy source, look before you leap. Nephi did so when facing Laban, sword in hand, and the Spirit painstakingly stepped him through the logic and principles of righteousness regarding what he was being asked to do. (1 Nephi 4:10.) There was no longer any doubt in his mind when he did that difficult thing.

The following standards are not only ways of discerning true from false revelation, they are standards by which inspiration must be interpreted. By applying these additional standards to any impression, the message comes into crystal clear focus, so there is no mistaking!

The standards are:

1)    “All things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil.” (Moroni 7:12.) Carefully analyze the good and the evil in the situation.
2)    Revelation to you will never contradict the words of the prophets or the revealed scriptures as interpreted by the prophets.
3)    Obey at the first appropriate moment, no sooner, no later. (Read President Thomas S. Monson: Always “on the Lord’s Errand”. Abraham arose “early the next morning,” which was quickly and diligently, but not immediately, as a three day journey requires some preparation.)
4)    The doctrines of the kingdom are never established by single, isolated pronouncements in obscure places. They are repeated over and over. “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” (DC 6:28.)
5)    Revelation “by way of commandment” is limited to the boundaries of your stewardship. However, inspiration “by way of wisdom” may come to almost anyone with the spirit of prophecy; in that case it is not binding on the recipient unless they pray and have it confirmed to them, but “a word to the wise is sufficient.” (DC 28:3-6.)
6)    You will not be asked by the Lord to violate the laws of the land. (DC 58:21. Note: Nephi slaying Laban was consistent with local law at the time.)
7)    “In the Church we are not exempt from common sense.” (Packer, Prayers and Answers, Oct 1979 Conference.)
8)    Your bishop and stake president, if they seek it, are entitled to the spirit of discernment. (DC 46:27.) Counsel with them if you are still uncertain. Their direction will be binding eternally on you, so if you follow their counsel when uncertain you need not fear.

The Other Book

I also commend to you the following book:

The Book of Isaiah: A New Translation, with Interpretive Keys from the Book of Mormon, by Avraham Gileadi.

The “New Translation” part you can ignore.

The “Interpretive Keys” will give you precious tools by which your eyes can be better opened to all of the scriptures. They really, mostly, expound the “manner of prophesying among the Jews.” One of those keys mentioned in the Book of Mormon the “spirit of prophecy,” which as you know is “the testimony of Jesus” (2 Nephi 25:1,4; Revelation 19:10.)

The Final Comment

Ask.

The disciples “were given to understand” the parables of Christ, but only after they asked.

I once gave a talk in which I explained the importance of asking, then mentioned an insight that came to me by the Spirit concerning an experience recorded in the scriptures. I did not expand on what the insight was.

Now, to be sure, “that that which cometh from above is sacred, and must be spoken with care, and by constraint of the Spirit” (DC 63:64). However, that same verse makes it clear that such things can be discussed with those who honor them, at the right time, as the Spirit allows, “and in this there is no condemnation.”

In the case of this talk, the Spirit assured me that I could pass on those insights that had come to me, as I understood them, “by way of wisdom,” to anyone that asked me about them.

Only one person asked. Why?

The most important source to ask is of God. How often do we fail to ask Him because we think that “the Lord maketh no such thing known unto [me]?” (1 Ne 15:9.)

“If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things-that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal.” (DC 42:61.)

Nevertheless, sometimes the Lord directs us to others or others to us to help us with our answers, especially at first. Why?

“We have now clearly set forth how it is, and how it was, that God became an object of faith for rational beings; and also, upon what foundation the testimony was based which excited the inquiry and diligent search of the ancient saints to seek after and obtain a knowledge of the glory of God; and we have seen that it was human testimony, and human testimony only, that excited this inquiry, in the first instance, in their minds. It was the credence they gave to the testimony of their fathers, this testimony having aroused their minds to inquire after the knowledge of God; the inquiry frequently terminated, indeed always terminated when rightly pursued, in the most glorious discoveries and eternal certainty.” (Joseph Smith, Lectures on Faith, 2:56, emphasis added.)

How often do we not ask of others?

Jacob, I hope these thoughts prove as valuable to you as they have been to me.

Enjoy the journey!

Asking questions is the best way to get good answers, and there are many excellent resources on the Internet. Unfortunately, there is also a flood of misinformation. So where to look for accurate answers? The LDS Church Web site is doctrinally rock-solid. Another resource I like as a starting point for answers to more difficult questions is JeffLindsay.com. He does his research and is usually a careful thinker (in my opinion), he’s been linked to by the LDS web site on an issue or two, and he even has a sense of humor! Not a bad combination. However, perhaps the most scholarly approach is provided by the Maxwell Institute. Their articles are deep, insightful, and often peer-reviewed.

Temples, Respect, and Reverence

But what of the LDS temple ordinances, which members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hold as so sacred that they do not discuss them in detail outside the LDS temples? Special care should be taken when treading on this sacred ground for reasons of our own spiritual growth, propriety, and plain old-fashioned brotherly kindness and mutual respect.

When I was growing up, maybe 6-7 years old, I was poking around the house and discovered a cache of presents intended for me. I opened the bag and looked through it all. It was interesting and exciting, but it ultimately proved to be a great disappointment. I had nothing to look forward to for my birthday. Looking back I can now see that my parents had carefully selected some gifts that would help me grow and yet would be fun as well, but they required explanation and a little parental training and help to use properly (a woodworking tool set and a wood burning kit). When I saw them early I didn’t/couldn’t appreciate them, and as a result I never really put them to their full, intended use. I wished I had not looked and had just waited for the surprise.

So it is with the LDS temple ordinances. As you learn all you can about the LDS Church, keep a veil of respect and reverence around these sacred temple ordinances, learning and reading only what has been officially discussed and taught about the temples in talks from recognized Church leaders. If you follow this advice, you’ll be glad.

Much can definitely be discussed! No questions are inappropriate, so ask away, just beware of inappropriate answers. Many web sites purport to have the full text of the LDS temple ordinances and display them to public view. Some are inaccurate, almost all do it with an eye towards ridiculing the Church and its temples, but all are disrespectful. Logic and reason are tools of truth, but ridicule and disrespect are not. Christ never used those methods. Respect for the beliefs of others is a hallmark of Christlike love and “brotherly kindness.” (2 Peter 1:7-8.)

Ordinances, Symbolism, and Receiving

If we think about it, all gospel ordinances are symbolic and make sense only if we are well-acquainted with them or understand their purpose. Baptism? Being immersed in water? How out-of-the-ordinary. Ancient temples, in God’s wisdom, relied heavily on this kind of symbolism. The LDS temple endowment is no exception and makes deep, rich use of symbolic imagery. (See this excellent web page.)

Waiting until the proper time and place is important. It shows reverence and respect for God’s timing and allows all things to be done “in wisdom and order.” (Mosiah 4:27.) I believe it also allows us to better appreciate and more fully receive and recognize what He is in fact offering to us when that time comes.

For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift. (D&C 88:33.)

My Personal Witness

I have found and know for myself—with absolute certainty—that what is offered us in the modern temples is of God, and it is of such absolute importance and reality that it is worth every sacrifice necessary to obtain those ordinances, keep our covenants with the Lord, and claim the eternal blessings that result from that path.

“I imagine it must have been hard for you to be religious and study science at the same time.”

My reply startled her visibly. I said something like this: “Not at all. I’ve found that truth is truth, wherever it is found. Truth in science never contradicts truth in religion. Conflicts only come from things we falsely assume to be true—false science or false religion.”

“Things as They Are”

When Pilate examined Christ, he asked: “What is truth?” The Bible then implies that he immediately turned and left, not waiting for an answer. (John 18:38.) What could he have learned if he had listened?

That question is central to the purpose of this blog. Here I intend to address truth—”every good thing”—not only from my personal experiences and religious principles, but also from related scientific and technical topics.

Does this seem an unusual assortment? Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and first latter-day prophet (according to LDS teachings and my personal conviction), said this:

One of the grand fundamental principles of “Mormonism” is to receive truth, let it come from whence it may. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 313.

This is my sentiment and probably the central philosophy of my life. Truth, which Christ in modern times defined as “knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come” (D&C 93:24) is simply knowledge of reality, “things as they really are” (Jacob 4:13). This embraces and encompasses all frames of reference at once, whether scientific, cultural, or religious.

Higher Truths

We certainly can’t know all truth ourselves in this life, but we can come to know some truths with certainty. Still, not all truth is equally valuable, and not all sources are equally reliable. Scientific principles that once seemed clear according to best evidence turn out to be incomplete or mistaken as additional data comes to light. That’s simply the scientific process, iteratively getting a better grasp of testable reality.

However, in my experience the purest and surest source of essential truth is direct from God himself, and in fact there are certain truths that can be discerned through no other means. For example, Elder Bruce R. McConkie pointed out:

God is and can be known only by revelation; he stands revealed or he remains forever unknown. BYU Devotional Address, 2 March 1982.

In other words, some higher truths cannot be tested according to terms we dictate from our frame of reference. Instead, they must be projected into our existence from a higher plane (“looking “down”). When knowledge is communicated from that higher plane to this one, it is called revelation.*

Knowing for Sure

I’ve discovered for myself that this channel of truth—personal, individual revelation from God—remains open. (See James 1:5.) It is a reality that by “the power of the Holy Ghost,” we can “know the truth of all things.” (See Moroni 10:5.) This makes it possible to know all essential truth with certainty. However, “there are certain bounds also and conditions” to obtaining that type of knowledge (D&C 88:38). We must comply with the laws that govern it, or it remains undiscerned.

That truth which I have found and believe to be of more than passing value, I intend to discuss here. I invite you to join the journey.

*To me, one-way discernibility of higher truths is not only spiritually but mathematically and scientifically sound. We are like beings in a Flatland who cannot see beyond their two-dimensional existence to the ultimate three-dimensional reality. They (and we) lack power even to peer into some higher dimensions unaided. However, to a three-dimensional being, the entire two-dimensional flatland is laid bare to the minutest, innermost detail. Nothing is “hidden.” Communication from that realm to the flatland is not only possible but simple.

More than a week ago, a thought came to me that I ought to call Keith Meservy, my brother-in-law’s father, and tell him how much I’ve appreciated his example and scholarship over the years. Since moving to Kentucky and Virginia I hadn’t spoken to him, yet I was a better person because of our past association. His quiet, encouraging manner and careful attention to spiritual things left their mark on me.

Sunday, I received word that he passed away peacefully after a battle with leukemia.

I first knew of Keith’s scriptural scholarship when I read an article by him in the September 1977 Ensign of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was leaving or had just left on my mission, and his discoveries about ancient Assyrian writing answered a question that had puzzled me. The common LDS understanding of the prophecy in Ezekiel 37:15–17 seemed previously incomplete. (The “stick” of Joseph and “stick” of Judah are joined together, becoming one, and reuniting of the two branches of the House of Israel is then foretold.) Critics claimed that the sticks referred to scepters and not scrolls, hence the Book of Mormon could not be the “stick of Joseph.” Both explanations seemed out of place to me, yet both partly true. Only in the light of Keith’s article did the full beauty and literal nature of the prophecy become clear, and the truth in both perspectives opened to my view. His February 1987 article later filled in remaining answers in a seamless tapestry of truth.

As I read these articles, their tone resonates with what little I knew of the man—his quiet example, his expounding of truth in an unassuming and non-contentious, yet clear and unmistakable way. The truth speaks for itself, as did his life. There was no way you could know him and feel his character and not sense his quiet, humble conviction.

I cried when I heard of Keith’s passing because I knew it would likely be years before I could renew our acquaintance, but also partly because of the lost opportunity. My first blog article spoke of “missed opportunities” and wanting to mend them. Now, here were two more: failing to recognize and heed an ever-so-gentle prompting of the Spirit, and failing to renew an important friendship in mortality while I could.

Keith has moved on, but I’m sure his feet remained firmly on the path I sensed was his years ago, so there is no question in my mind what his destiny is and what he is doing now. I am certain that he, along with the other “faithful elders of this dispensation,” now continues his work “in the preaching of the gospel of repentance and redemption, through the sacrifice of the Only Begotten Son of God, among those who are in darkness and under the bondage of sin in the great world of the spirits of the dead.” (D&C 138: 57, see also all of D&C 138.)

For my part, I intend to stay on that path here, laboring on this side of the veil. Sometimes that work will involve remembering and emulating Keith’s example, and sometimes, when appropriate, sharing doctrinal and historical insights from him “unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace.” (2 Ne. 3:12.)

(Powhatan Ward LDS Church, Richmond Virginia Midlothian Stake, 20 Apr 2008.)

My Life-Changing Experience in 1999

In 1999, I heard Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speak at a regional leadership training meeting in Nashville, Tennessee. It wasn’t his speaking ability that impressed me, but a flood of inspiration and great desire to change my life that came as he spoke and taught by the power of the Holy Ghost.

His words were not overpowering or emotional or awe-inspiring. It was the content and the result of hearing them that made the difference. As he spoke, the Holy Ghost inspired me, and I knew precisely what God wanted me to do and change to please Him best. Elder Eyring testified that if we actually did what we felt impressed to do that day, spiritual blessings would follow. I obeyed, even though it was sometimes hard. My life changed forever.

Now I Listen More Carefully

Since that experience, when Elder Eyring speaks, I listen perhaps a little more carefully than usual, though I know through the Holy Spirit that each the Twelve is a true and living, modern-day apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Uncharacteristically, this past General Conference (April 2008), I had trouble understanding the focus of his Saturday morning talk, so I studied and pondered it for this speaking assignment. Today I’d like to explain, then elaborate on what I believe he was teaching about “the true and living church.” Then I’ll connect it to the concept of a “living prophet of God.”

Two Favorite Scriptures

Two scriptures I’ve liked for some time are connected to Elder Erying’s April 2008 conference talk. First:

…this church [is] … the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased…. (D&C 1:30.)

Also this one:

…. these commandments are of me, and were given unto my servants in their weakness, after the manner of their language that they might come to understanding. (DC 1:24.)

In preparing this talk, I discovered that these verses are essentially connected. One actually implies the other. How?

Principle 1: Weakness => Humility

The Lord’s anointed servants have weaknesses? The revelations come “in their weakness, after their language” (meaning their manner of speech and understanding)? It is at first a surprising idea to some, that prophets and apostles are not perfect, but it shouldn’t be. Lorenzo Snow, an apostle and later prophet and president of the Church, said:

I saw the . . . imperfections in [Joseph Smith]. . . . I thanked God that he would put upon a man who had those imperfections the power and authority he placed upon him . . . for I knew that I myself had weakness[es], and I thought there was a chance for me. . . . I thanked God that I saw these imperfections. (As cited by Neal A. Maxwell, “Out of Obscurity,” Ensign, Nov. 1984, p. 10; also Conference Report, Oct. 1984.)

The Lord has said:

The weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh….
And inasmuch as they erred it might be made known;

And inasmuch as they sought wisdom they might be instructed;

And inasmuch as they sinned they might be chastened, that they might repent…

The Lord’s Servants Are Perfected in Weakness

But the Lord has a grand purpose behind this!

And inasmuch as they were humble they might be made strong, and blessed from on high, and receive knowledge from time to time. (DC 1:19, 25-8.)

The Lord’s servants, like all of us, need to rely on and be sustained by Him. We are not sufficient unto ourselves, and we must be humble. The Lord gives us weakness specifically so we may become humble! (Ether 12:27.) The Lord’s servants are no exception. In fact, when the Lord said to Paul: “my strength is made perfect in weakness,” Paul added: “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Cor 12:9.)

Principle 2: Humility => Establishing the Church

Returning to the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord explains that these weak servants (which includes us), acting in repentant humility, being made strong and blessed with knowledge from Him would

… have power to lay the foundation of this church, and to bring it forth out of obscurity and out of darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively and not individually—

Yet We Must Remain Humble and Repentant

For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance;

Nevertheless, he that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven;

And he that repents not, from him shall be taken even the light which he has received; for my Spirit shall not always strive with man, saith the Lord of Hosts. (DC 1:31-3.)

So we must all remain faithful and humble to properly build up the kingdom of God on the earth.

Leads to Whole Focus of Elder Eyring’s Talk

All this brings us to the purpose, I believe, of Elder Eyring’s talk:

1. He teaches us that we sustain and build up “the true and living church” by sustaining these humble leaders,
2. He teaches us how to truly sustain them (involves humility), and
3. He instills faith in us to go and do it.

Pattern for Our Teaching

I believe this sets a pattern for our own teaching in the Church and in our families:

1. Teach the PRINCIPLE,
2. Teach HOW to actually do it (be practical, be specific), and
3. Instill FAITH to actually go and do (assurance, testimony).

Looking back, I think this is the pattern he followed in that regional leadership training meeting in Tennessee. Let’s follow this pattern ourselves as we review the remainder of his talk.

1. PRINCIPLE: We actually sustain and build up “the true and living church” by sustaining these humble leaders

They hold the keys. They—and no one else—have the divine authority for their callings at this time. Our support of them is essential for them, for us, and for the church itself.

2. HOW: How Do We Actually Sustain Them and the Church?

Elder Eyring teaches or alludes to three important ways to sustain them that we might not normally consider:

1. Exercising our faith, confidence and prayers in their behalf,
2. Remaining humble and worthy ourselves, and
3. Giving service in the Lord’s name.

2a. Faith, Confidence and Prayers

In a great revelation on priesthood, the Lord teaches us that

“…three Presiding High Priests … , appointed and ordained to that office, … [constitute] the Presidency of the Church” [and they] “…[are] upheld by the confidence, faith, and prayer of the church.” (DC 107:23.)

What an amazing concept! The Lord’s prophet and his counselors, the Presidency of the Church, must be upheld through our confidence, our faith, and our prayers in their behalf!

2b. Remaining Humble and Worthy

Elder Eyring said:

“Now our obligation is to remain worthy of the faith necessary … to … sustain those who have been called. The Lord … cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance…. We must examine our lives, repent as necessary, pledge to keep the Lord’s commandments, and follow his servants.”

Seek Inspiration on Repentance

How do we best repent? Elder Eyring said:

“We need to know by the power of the Holy Ghost in what ways we can do better in keeping the commandments.”

Have you ever prayed to be shown your weaknesses? I have. That prayer is usually answered speedily and pointedly. Are you afraid to do so? I can relate to that feeling. But if you or I are afraid to ask to be shown our weaknesses, what does that say about our humility?

And inasmuch as they erred it might be made known;

And inasmuch as they sought wisdom they might be instructed;

And inasmuch as they sinned they might be chastened, that they might repent;

And inasmuch as they were humble they might be made strong, and blessed from on high, and receive knowledge from time to time. (DC 1:25-8.)

2c. Give Service in the Lord’s Name, through His Servants

We sustain our leaders and the Lord’s Church as we give service as opportunities are extended to us through his servants. There are many opportunities for this: Humanitarian efforts, missions, temple service.

But what about callings? Do we willingly accept the calls to serve when they are extended through his servants? If we feel inadequate (as I think we all do), so we seek help and inspiration to know how to fulfill the calling? Will we accept any calling extended through an inspired leader?

If not, we are failing to sustain the Lord’s church.

3. INSTILL FAITH: to Sustain Our Leaders and “The True and Living Church”

Finally, Elder Eyring did what he could to instill faith in us to actually go and do these things.

We can’t give people faith as we teach. Instead, faith “is the assurance of things hoped for” (JST Heb 11:1) that comes to us from God. As we hear truth taught in a way that we can believe, we feel the glimmerings of divine assurance of its truth. This inspires us to hope and then act. That is faith.

That kind of teaching is not limited to apostles. We can all do it. The Lord said:

… a commandment I give unto you, that ye shall declare whatsoever thing ye declare in my name, in solemnity of heart, in the spirit of meekness, in all things.

And I give unto you this promise, that inasmuch as ye do this the Holy Ghost shall be shed forth in bearing record unto all things whatsoever ye shall say. (DC 100:7-8.)

So as we teach, we must be very careful to teach correct principles in the appointed way. Anything else can prevent the Spirit from testifying. That divinely-appointed way requires our human testimony. Then, as they believe and obey, divine testimony or assurance comes, and their faith increases. The pattern repeats, growing “brighter and brighter until the perfect day.” (DC 50:24.)

Elder Eyring’s Testimony: True and Living Church

Elder Eyring testified of when he first knew that this is the true and living church. Before he was eight years old he heard someone speak at a remote conference of the church in a small hotel room. He doesn’t remember what was said, but he does remember receiving a powerful witness that day that he was “hearing a servant of the God in the true Church of Jesus Christ.”

My Testimony: Serving by Accepting Callings

I also know, of myself, by many powerful witnesses, that this is the true church of Jesus Christ, “the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth.”

I can also testify of the importance of sustaining the Church and the Lord’s servants by accepting and fulfilling callings, even when it is hard.

Years ago I was struck down with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). After struggling for years with no answers, it was all I could do to make it to church to teach the Blazers at 11:30 am. A schedule change was coming that would make our meetings start at 8:30 am, and I met with my inspired bishop to alert him that I would probably not be able to continue in the calling.

The bishop looked at me a moment, then said, “That’s not what the Lord has told me.” Then he added, “Kevin, I spent a lot of time in the temple because of you last Saturday. A heavy calling is coming. When it does, we’ll work with you in any way we can if you accept it. As I prayed and your name came to me for the position, I though, ‘oh no, he can’t do this, he’s too sick.’ I had to repent very quickly.”

A calling was extended to be the ward clerk. It required me to attend Bishopric meeting at 5:45 am! I accepted the call in faith, and did what I could, asking for the Lord’s help. I literally staggered to church those mornings. But as I actually went and did as the Lord asked me, through his inspired servants, he blessed me. My capacity increased more than it had at any time before that. I sustained the Lord’s humble servants, the Lord blessed me with greater health, and I was blessed to build up the kingdom of God through greater service. I enjoyed that calling!

Another time, I knew a calling was coming. I had very sound reasons for being concerned about it. The Lord quietly reassured me that the call was inspired of Him anyway and should not be declined. The call was accepted, and blessings I could not have anticipated flowed to me and my family through that decision—answers to prayers of many years, in fact.

True and Living Church: A Living Prophet

In closing, I’d also like to connect these thoughts to the subject of a living prophet, and what that means.

The word of God and “the keys of the kingdom of heaven” were always given to prophets anciently. The apostle Paul told the Ephesians that the Church was built on the “foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.” (Eph. 2:20.) When the apostles were killed, there was a falling away—the keys and authority were lost as foretold by those very prophets. Those keys had to be restored through the divine pattern, through a prophet, called of God.

The first prophet of that restoration was Joseph Smith. I know this is true by revelation to me, personally, through the Holy Ghost. That witness can come to anyone who will ask in faith, with real intent.

But what of today? What of Thomas S. Monson, the current president of this church?

I’ve had occasion to meet and listen to Elder Monson in person. I met him on my mission. My father lived in his ward. I’ve watched him closely and listened as he spoke over the years.

Remember that the Lord said:

…these commandments are of me, and were given unto my servants in their weakness, after the manner of their language, that they might come to understanding. (DC 1:24.)

When I saw and heard Pres. Monson speak at this conference, I compared what I had seen and heard before.

I saw in the person the same face, and the same unpretentious sense of humor, but something had definitely changed. His demeanor and countenance were different. I sensed and knew that the Lord had taken an already-great man and changed him.

All of the apostles are “prophets, seers, and revelators.” Elder Monson was that before this new calling came. But there is something different about the responsibility of the President of the Church, the only person on the earth authorized to exercise all the priesthood keys.

I know that the Lord has placed that responsibility upon Thomas Spencer Monson.

Elder Monson himself said many times: “Whom the Lord calls, the Lord also qualifies.” Now it makes me smile to think of that saying, because I’ve seen it in him. And I’m grateful for that, because I need that same blessing in my life, to be qualified by the Lord to do whatever he asks.

Closing

I hope and pray that that we will all resolve to sustain the true and living church, that we will do this by sustaining the Lord’s humble servants, and that we will do it by:

1. Extending to them our faith, confidence, and prayers,

2. Remaining humble and worthy ourselves, and

3. Giving service in the Lord’s name, in his Church.

I know this is what the Lord wants us to do, and that if we will go home and actually do these things, “exceeding great and precious” blessings await us. (2 Pet 1:4.)

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Feel the same way? Let me explain where I think this blog is headed in the months just ahead:

• Dating vs. Courting. We struggled with dating questions in non-LDS areas. Who do you date? When? Why? After much thought, prayer, and late-night discussions with more than one teenager, we’re excited about our answer. So were others in our ward and stake when they heard it. Maybe it will help your family too? (Preview: “Dating is a friend thing, courting is a marriage thing.”)
• Reviews of family-friendly technology and solutions. Keeping kids (and parents) safe takes some work nowadays, but fortunately, others have done it for us already.
• The Resurrection and the Atonement. Why was the atonement a prerequisite for the resurrection?
• Supermassive Black Holes and the Book of Abraham. (Yes, you read correctly.) Just discovered a decade ago, SMBH shed profound “light” both on the processes of galaxy formation and the Book of Abraham (cosmologically, symbolically, and especially spiritually).
• Exciting new ways to contribute to family history research. This is both for my very-extended family and everyone in general.
• Review of Ghandi: The Story of My Experiments with Truth. I recently read this and came away with great lessons about covenant making/keeping and consecration. There’s a lot to learn from Ghandi and our Hindu brothers and sisters.
• Discerning Truth. The “Mormon” Church believes in continuing revelation. However, since there is “opposition in all things,” continuing revelation implies that false revelation is also possible. How then, exactly, would we tell the difference between true and false revelation? And are there even more important considerations than that one in seeking, receiving, and following inspiration? (Yes.)
• Web site for Calvin P. and Elsie Midgley and Semilunar Biopsy Repair. We can get the word out about this groundbreaking surgery and the lives of these great people (Lake County, Illinois). It isn’t hard to do. Maybe somebody, somewhere, will pick up the ball and run with it. Without the help of those of us who know about it, those searching won’t find it, because the articles are now buried.

If any of this sounds interesting, I invite you to subscribe to this blog by clicking on the links at the very top right corner. Share your comments and thoughts, and we’ll explore these things together.

Hence this blog.

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (“Mormons”). A record-keeping people, Latter-day Saints are encouraged to keep personal journals. My youthful journals gave way to years of no journals during my early married years, then to “small plates” journals of private spiritual experiences, but there was a huge gap in all this. Over the years I’ve had missed opportunities, mistakes, and learning experiences and yielded priceless, precious lessons, but they have no lasting outlet. I’ve tried to share my insights with my children and family and even friends, but did they really understand? Will they remember accurately? (And on a more practical note, will they even be able to read my handwriting on the loose pieces of paper and journals accumulated over the years once I’ve moved on?)

How do you deal with mistakes—even big ones? I decided years ago to turn errors around by extracting lessons from them, analyzing and praying for understanding until I clearly saw the core, diamond truths and governing principles. Then I applied those lessons to the future. I could never hope to do everything right the first time, but I could hope and pray to do much better the second. “Fool me once, shame on you,” my Dad quoted, “fool me twice, shame on me.” I owe a lot to my father for teaching me to learn from my mistakes, and especially from the mistakes of others. “Mistakes are good,” my wife and I have since taught our children, “if you learn from them.” Better still if you can learn from others’ follies and they can learn from yours.

Some small examples from my own life:

• A Seventh-Day Adventist minster asked me, while a missionary, how the atonement of Christ actually accomplished its purpose. He honestly seemed willing to listen, but my answer at age 20 was deeply incomplete.
• We taught a woman in Australia and baptized her, then found she was completely oppressed by an alcohol addiction. How could we help? Inexperienced, I didn’t really know. She was probably looking for help when she came to us, but we didn’t take action out of uncertainty. What became of her?
• A friend once asked me a theological question about the judgment day. Could it be a day of mercy and not punishment? How could a merciful God punish? It was a good question deserving a full, thorough answer which I couldn’t give then.
• I was challenged to write an essay on “Faith” in college. It got a decent grade, but the essay was merely methodical. Unsatisfied, I began to sense that I really didn’t understand the “first principle of the gospel” in spite of my studies to that point.

These missed opportunities and unresolved issues stuck in my mind. I analyzed them and studied and prayed, and the answers always came.

Though many experiences were small things, the most painful ones were the most effective teachers; some from my own life and some from others’. From time to time this blog will let me visit or relive and then amend, like a personal “Groundhog Day” on the Web.

Of course, private details must not be shared, though the learned lessons and principles certainly can be. Brigham Young said: “Do not tell about your nonsensical conduct that nobody knows of but yourselves. Tell to the public that which belongs to the public. If you have sinned against the people, confess to them…. I do not want to know anything about it.” (JD Vol. 8, p. 362.) How much more so the follies of each other!

A seemingly unrelated experience identifies one other purpose of this blog. When I was about 13 or 14 years old, I attended a stake conference of the LDS Church (“Mormon”) in Newport Beach, California. A visiting General Authority told a story that left a lasting impression. A woman expressed concern that she had never been called on to speak in a meeting. (This is significant because the LDS Church has an unpaid clergy. Speakers are chosen from the general congregation, and almost anyone who wants to speak is called on sooner rather than later.) His reply was to challenge her to prepare a talk every week, whether or not she was assigned by the bishop, so she would always be prepared and enjoy the benefits regardless of who spoke. That inspired me. Then he asked our congregation if they would accept that same challenge, to prepare a talk every week, and to raise our hands if we accepted. I raised my hand. Since that time, it bothered me that I didn’t truly prepare a talk every single week, but I’ve worked towards that goal and am now making up for lost time. I’m going to do some of that in this blog, though much of what I write here could not be considered a sacrament meeting talk.

So my purposes are these: create a semi-public journal; share lessons learned; answer questions encountered long ago; share light and truth as I understand it so other truth-seekers can benefit; maybe smooth the path for my children and grandchildren and anyone else tuning in; and do all of this in a semi-organized format rather than haphazard thoughts.

Oh yes, and last of all… to fulfill that obligation I made years ago when I raised my hand in that stake conference as a young teenager.