A straight path and a strait path

Dear friend

The time we spend on earth is often described as a journey. On that journey there are many paths we can choose to follow. The path analogy is commonly found in scripture. The directional challenge of channel choosing seems to be one of finding, entering and staying on the right path. The Psalmist knew where to go to find that path; from the Old Testament, Psalm 25:4.

4 Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.

King David, who is credited as the writer of the psalm, certainly asked the right person for directions. A later prophet, Isaiah, explained how those who don't know the way can be lead to the true track. He describing them (us) as "blind" since we can't see what way to go. Isaiah speaks Messianically in the Old Testament, Isaiah 42:16.

16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

A near contemporary of Isaiah, Nephi, expressed similar sentiments in the Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 33:9.

9 ... But behold, for none of these can I hope except they shall be reconciled unto Christ, and enter into the narrow gate, and walk in the strait path which leads to life, and continue in the path until the end of the day of probation.

Notice how Christ's path can be both "straight" and "strait". In mathematics a straight line is defined as the shortest distance between two points; that is to say, unbending. While a strait is type of waterway characterised by being narrow. So God's paths are both direct and determinate, linear and lean. One reason for this is given in Doctrine and Covenants 3:2.

2 For God doth not walk in crooked paths, neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither doth he vary from that which he hath said, therefore his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round.

So let us be both pointed and pent in our passage along the right path. His way is the only way back to where we belong. It can be strict at times but the Divine destination is well worth the joys and jeopardies of the journey.

Samuel.

Big sins and little sins

Dear friend

We might think to simplify the categories of disobedience to God's commandments as either "big sins" or "little sins". While this might be conveniently concise, it may also be devilishly dangerous. It is a simple step to see little sins as of little significance. Satan loves this thinking. In fact, he thought it up.

I wonder if the trivial transgressions are not actually the tacit test of trustworthiness. I like the truism contained in the Lord’s couplet as recorded in the New Testament, Luke 16:10.

10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

There is a lesson here for the casual convert. We might discern the dallying disciple not so much by looking for serious sins, but by noticing the minimised misdemeanours.

Although guilty of very self-destructive and demeaning deeds, young Corianton was counselled by his father, Alma, to be scrupulous in spurning sin, even to the least level. His fatherly advice on the topic comes from the Book of Mormon, Alma 42:30.

30 O my son, I desire that ye should deny the justice of God no more. Do not endeavour to excuse yourself in the least point because of your sins, by denying the justice of God; but do you let the justice of God, and his mercy, and his long-suffering have full sway in your heart; and let it bring you down to the dust in humility.

Sin is sin, and wickedness never brings happiness. So yes, while perfection in obedient performance comes step by step, we should always remember the stationary stipulation of complete compliance as specified in Doctrine and Covenants 1:31.

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

It has been wisely said that the most important commandment is the one we are currently having the most trouble keeping. I pray we will be rigorous in righteousness and daily seek that strict obedience which Jesus taught us to aspire towards.

Samuel.

Look at it this way ... or that way

Dear friend

It is possible for two people to look at the same thing, but perceive it differently. The classic example is the glass half full or the glass half empty. This is generally thought of as a rough test of optimistic or pessimistic personality. Our attitude to gospel principles can also be affected by our personal perspective. Such an insight is suggested in the Old Testament, Proverbs 27:7.

7 The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

I suppose the full soul sees a half empty glass as a trial to finish. The hungry soul sees a half full receptacle as a start to filling their void. A further illustration of seeing things differently comes from the Lord, as recorded in the New Testament, Luke 24:1-4.

1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

This is an example of divine discernment; a more perfect perspective. How we see things can strongly influence how we respond to them. Some people see commandments as restrictions to personal freedom ("thou shalt not ..."). Others see obedience as the chance to accrue beneficent blessings ("if you do this then you get that").

I think it is helpful to occasionally analyse our perspective, in case we are obstructing our options or missing the mark. I believe that in situations of unclear vision, by applying the principle of hope it will help us to see opportunities out of opposition instead of hurdles to happiness.

So I hope we will try to see things more as God sees them, for He sees them as they really are. I pray that our perspectives will be increasingly positive through the Spirit enlightening the eyes of our understanding.

Samuel.

Mildness is not weak, it's gentle power

Dear friend

In the movies the power or voice of God is usually represented by deep, loud, earth-shattering utterances that terrify the people and cause ostentatious displays of omnipotence. How real is this? Consider the example of two humble missionaries, imprisoned for imparting the word of God, and who were in mortal danger from a massive mob closing in to inflict their death. This would surely make an ideal setting for some Godly grandstanding through an impressive intervention. At the point of the malicious mob nearing, the incident is described in the Book of Mormon, Helaman 5:28-30.

28 And it came to pass that they were overshadowed with a cloud of darkness, and an awful solemn fear came upon them.
29 And it came to pass that there came a voice as if it were above the cloud of darkness, saying: Repent ye, repent ye, and seek no more to destroy my servants whom I have sent unto you to declare good tidings.
30 And it came to pass when they heard this voice, and beheld that it was not a voice of thunder, neither was it a voice of a great tumultuous noise, but behold, it was a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul—

So the Hollywood hullabaloo of divine displeasure didn't materialise. Mildness, perfect mildness, masked the manifestation of God's authority. He didn't need to shout. That's not how Spirit speaks to spirit.

King David recognised this principle of peaceful preternatural presence even in his own monarchical majesty; as from the Old Testament, 2 Samuel 22:36.

36 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.

God's preferred personality trait is gentleness; a mildness sustained by underlying magnificence. The lesson for us is to mimic His mildness. For example, even when raising a proselytising warning voice, as taught in Doctrine and Covenants 38:41.

41 And let your preaching be the warning voice, every man to his neighbour, in mildness and in meekness.

So mildness is not weakness but meekness. Gentleness is understated might. I pray we will continually seek to develop the Messiah's mild manner.

Samuel.

If life is a school, will we pass the test?

Dear friend

Mortal life is often summarised by the suggestion that our time in this world is one big test. Some extend the analogy by describing earth life as being like a large school, where there are teachers, rules to follow, where we study, are set tests, practice skills, learn from our mistakes, have final exams and leave as a qualified scholar ... or not.

If this life is a school, it is certainly a tough one at times. Some of the lessons are really hard, the practical applications challenging, and our fellow classmates can be downright troubling; including bullying, belittling, and generally behaving badly. But it seems that difficulties are all part of Creation's curriculum. Consider this counsel from Doctrine and Covenants 101:1-5.

1 Verily I say unto you, concerning your brethren who have been afflicted, and persecuted, and cast out from the land of their inheritance—
2 I, the Lord, have suffered the affliction to come upon them, wherewith they have been afflicted, in consequence of their transgressions;
3 Yet I will own them, and they shall be mine in that day when I shall come to make up my jewels.
4 Therefore, they must needs be chastened and tried, even as Abraham, who was commanded to offer up his only son.
5 For all those who will not endure chastening, but deny me, cannot be sanctified.

So, to be sanctified (made holy) in this academy of adversity, we must change through chastening and be tractable through trials. This can include affliction, persecution and rejection. By so doing there is the hidden gem of a promise, that the day will come when the Lord will select us as His precious jewels. We will be His, with all that includes - which is everything the Father has.

That prospect is certainly a prize-giving ceremony we don't want to miss. I hope we make the best of our schooling by being productive, patient, and pliant pupils. I pray we will learn the essential lessons of life by doing our best to pass the test.

Samuel.

Love as a motivation

Dear friend

What motivates God to do all the things He does for us? It is not a hard question. The answer is confirmed in this verse from the Old Testament, Isaiah 63:7.

7 I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.

What a great phrase, "the multitude of his lovingkindnesses". The Father and the Son love us and are kind to us in a multiplicity of ways. And how did we, the people of this world, show our thanks for this infinite magnanimity when He came among us in person? Again, the question is not a difficult one. The answer is starkly summarised in the Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 19:9.

9 And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men.

Even after the rancorous regicidal event, it is hard to conceive how people could so readily conspire to kill their God. Of course, it was eternally necessary that Jesus Christ should be sacrificed, but our fellow earthlings did the deed most despicably. Yet His response to the prejudicial persecution was to submit with an act of "greater love".

The Lord's key message was to follow Him and to do the things He did. The key virtue He exemplified was love. So for the third easy question, what does that mean we need to develop? If there were any doubt, the Apostle Paul summed up the answer in the New Testament, Ephesians 4:32.

32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

"Lovingkindness", it sounds so sweet a word to say. I pray we can find it as something sweet to do, and even sweeter to be.

Samuel.

Asking God for gifts

Dear friend

Many families have the tradition at Christmas of children writing letters to Santa. Normally the little ones will compose a wish list of the presents they would like to receive. I suppose it helps parents know what to get and hopefully avoid a gift gaff.

There are obvious parallels with us going to our Heavenly Father with a wish list of blessings we seek from Him. One big difference is that unlike Santa - and maybe some parents - our Father in Heaven knows what we need before we ask. We should remember, though, that as part of our earthly experience, we need to have the capacity to choose, even to choose what we want. We need that full agency. So it must be frustrating for God if we keep asking for the wrong things, or just don't ask but expect. He will not impose righteous choices on us. We must ask before the gift is given.

This concept is impressively illustrated by the Lord Himself during the superlative Sermon on the Mount, as recorded in the New Testament, Matthew 7:7-11.

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

There is a certainty about the promises of asking, seeking and knocking. The receiving, finding and opening applies to everyone. However, we likely know from personal experience that we don't always get what we want. We may be asking amiss, or the time may be wrong. But we can be confident in our God's gracious giving. He is always ready to open the windows of heaven for the blessings to rain upon us - so long as it is right for us.

Whether it's Christmas or any other time, we may not be seeking gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh on our wish list, but among our righteous requests there could be peace, hope and joy.

Samuel.