Can you be too temperate?

Dear friend

There are various "thou shalt not ..." commandments to stop us doing, saying, thinking, eating, drinking, or otherwise engaging in specific proscribed activities. These include stealing, taking the Lord's name in vain, having lustful thoughts, partaking of forbidden substances, and many more. These matters normally involve quite straightforward choices either to obey or not.

But there are some things we might do, or say, or think, etc. that are neither proscribed nor prescribed. These could include playing computer games, eating sweets or candies, (or just eating a lot), sleeping in, watching TV, and many others. These things are not inherently wrong, indeed they are often fun, pleasurable, and relaxing, but they can become habit-forming, time-consuming or addiction-tending.

The Prophet Alma once gave some fatherly advice to his son, Shiblon. He had something to say on this topic, and we can apply it to ourselves. The key line is found in the Book of Mormon, Alma 38:10.

10 ... and I would that ye would be diligent and temperate in all things.

To be temperate is to act in moderation, or to show self-restraint. For Alma this relates to those things in which we might overindulge. The counsel is to be temperate in everything. We are not to get "hooked" on anything in a way that makes us lose some degree of control, pulls us away from doing what's right, or is just not good for us in excess.

Further, in relation to our use of the bounty of the earth, the Lord restated the moderation principle in Doctrine and Covenants 59:20.

20 And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man; for unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not to excess, ...

And also, in the New Testament, 1 Corinthians 9:25.

25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things ...

If we know we are indulgent or intemperate in some way, that specific issue may have come into our mind as we read this. If so that might well be a sign we need to improve. I believe we can learn self-mastery by controlling our appetites, desires and passions through the grace of Our Redeemer. We can be moderate, measured and modest in everything; except in our discipleship of Jesus Christ.

Samuel.

The relief of resurrection

Dear friend

Few doctrines are more fundamental than the doctrine of universal or multiversal resurrection. It is perhaps the gospels' greatest good news that death is not the end and the future is unlimited; and all because of Jesus Christ.

But often we exclude the eternal from our thinking, not because it's not important, but because we're just so busy with the challenges of daily living. We go through mortality suffering bodily pains and incapacities while we yet struggle to provide for our needs "by the sweat of our brow". We frequently experience stresses, inner turmoils and periods of sadness. Our mortally-imperfect bodies and our carnally-veiled minds are prone to injury, weakness and sin. Life sure can be tough sometimes; and then there's the bit about dying.

If we occasionally entertain this somewhat melancholic mindset, know this, it is common to Man. The Apostle Paul very beautifully explained the principles behind the end game of this estate in which we find ourselves. His words are found in the New Testament, 1 Corinthians 15:53-57.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I think Paul's description of mortality as "this corruptible" is apostolically accurate. Both our body and the spirit housed within are susceptible to being corrupted, blemished, imperfect, unworthy. Truly the deficits of death and degradation are paid for through a most victorious and unbeatable Champion.

Yes, there is a sting to death and that is sin. Sin makes us fearful of death, or more particularly, of the judgements following therefrom. Thanks be forever to the Father for the sacrifice of His Son. Because of Him our body and spirit will attain conjoined immortality, and if the judgements arising from sin have been assuaged, then that immortality can be elevated to exaltation.

I hope we can readily recall the eternal perspective, particularly when life gets tough. I pray that we retain a sense of how wonderful it will feel to be free from mortal malfunctions and mental manacles, because of Him.

Samuel.