From Checklists to Checkpoints: Avoiding the Spiritual Rut

 From Checklists to Checkpoints: Avoiding the Spiritual Rut

By: Jacob Sok

I recently saw a television add promoting a new innovative breakfast food, taking center stage away from the typical morning meal. The commercial depicted a man standing it a large ditch in the middle of the floor eating his breakfast. A female coworker approaches the large trench and whilst looking down at him inquires how he got himself into- what she calls a rut. He comically retorts that he thought that he was in a groove not a rut. The add then portrays a humors debate between these coworkers only to arrive at the consensus that he was not in any groove but indeed his normal breakfast was truly a rut, and the only way out would be trying the new breakfast food.

Life tends to be game of ruts and groves, full of dynamic turns and stages of plateauing consistency. I often feel that my life has been like the waves of a sandy shore; an almost constant repetition of oncoming good times and other phases with distant waves or blessings, yet to surface. It happens to be in those moments, with the waves yet to touch my shore line, when I feel I have been entangled in a rut- the cause of which many times remains unbeknownst to me. After much pondering and thought I was reminded this week of lesson I have been coming to understand in recent years, precept by precept.

We can very easily find ourselves in spiritual ruts. Times when the gospel becomes more general than personal and the wonder of it seems to, for a moment's time, fade from view. Might I suggest that this occurrence,  can be avoided as we strive to rethink or re-strategize our devotion to the Lord. I wish today to offer some insight on one common cause of such ruts- that being; when our discipleship is fueled by a checklist mentality, void of active engagement or vision.

The checklist mentality phenomenon often presents itself when the fundamentals of Christ's teachings become daily mundane components of a spiritual to do list. Please do not misinterpret, I feel the idea behind a checklist is very important and an essential start to any task. The list provides a series of necessary components needed to achieve a goal. The danger of this is found when we take power or find completion in checking off the items from the list and not the items themselves.

This tends to be frequent with such commonalities as reading scripture, prayer, or church attendance, to name a few. Be it because of their frequency in our lives or our own rudimentary view of the purpose of what are supposed to be special blessings- tend to become more like spiritual chores rather than spiritual opportunities.

Recently Elder Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles illustrated a comparison, asking if our reading of the Book of Mormon or any scripture- is more like a daily dose of unfavorable medicine we forcibly gulp down, for daily sustaining. With this analogy it is easy to see how easily we can lose sight of the worth of these principles; as we use daily gospel living to check off spiritual parameters of the day, and not as a fulfilling mean to a fulfilling end.

Now the Lord appreciates any and all effort- I however have come to see that we can receive much more out of the gospel by rethinking little by little how we choose to execute daily discipleship.  

When we treat the gospel more like a 9 to 5 job; clocking in to appease a daily requirement, and plow through the day so as we can get back to our world- we may fulfill the task but we have definitely missed the goal. And, this may happen innocently- the Lord understands the fact we run busy lives full of hard work, financial escapades and family drama. It's reasonable that one would become tired and it would make sense that a rest would come to those who finished all their objectives for the day. That rest at the end of the day as desirable as it may be, might also be found, if we so choose, not after we finished the spiritual priorities of the day but actually within them. 

As I learn more and better yet come to experience the wonders of the gospel in new ways, I am left humbled and grateful for an attentive God who is not done working with me yet. This truth can, if we let it, serve as a motivation to avoid the ruts of complacency or even a level of boredom in our check-listed habits and put faith and lustrous gospel light back into our practices.

In the Book of Second Nephi- chapter 28, the Prophet Nephi begins to prophesy of many believers who become enclosed in false traditions and doctrines; of such is found a group of mislead people who taught, "If they shall say there is a miracle wrought by the hand of the Lord, believe it not; for this day he is not a God of miracles; he hath done his work." When I read that last statement, he hath done his work, I immediately thought how sad, if that were true.

Imagine God, done with His work. We know as stated in the Book of Moses (1:39) "For behold, this is my work and my glory- to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." We are indeed His work. If His work be done, then that would mean He would be done with us. Despite my lack of knowledge on many things and experiences yet to be had; this I do promise to any who may read this- God is not done with us. We are not some common universal chore on His omniscient checklist, lost in the midst of His celestial proceedings. We are the very heart of His focus and recipients of His detailed crafting.

That will not change, even if we ourselves treat our relationship with God as part of our mortal checklist. 2 Nephi 28 verse 32 states, "...For notwithstanding I shall lengthen out my arm unto to them from day to day, and they will deny me; nevertheless, I will be merciful unto them, saith the Lord God, if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all day long..." That to me clearly teaches God is not looking at the ticking of His watch- looking past the immediate tasks to a time when He will be off the clock and freed from His workload. No- He is ever vigilant, ever hopeful that we will take His loving offer. When you pray, the Lord will not listen because He needs to check it off of His daily routine, no He listens because He is invested in you; right down to your very center.

So how might we fight this tendency and avoid such a rut? When pondering this myself I felt impressed as I began to see that the principles and commandments of the gospel are not so much as mortality's checklist to qualify for eligibility into our heavenly home- rather they are checkpoints that help us implant and embed the very spirit of heaven in our souls, prior to our return home.

 

As the gospel principles convert from checklists into checkpoints- we avoid the entanglements of spiritual ruts. A checkpoint in any aspect of life be it in mathematics, long distance travels, mountain exploration what have you; offers perspective and serves as a mean to measure progress and locate one's position. I am not perfect at this yet but I can testify power has entered my heart- a love for gospel principles, as I strive to enter those divine habits with an intent to progress and meet the Lord there for help.

Nephi offers a solution in chapter 31 of his words- "Ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope and a love God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye press forward feasting upon the word of Christ and endure to the end, behold thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life." I know this to be true because the perfect brightness of hope accompanies effort over the course of our daily striving to come unto Him. This hope is not always instantaneous and often requires patience as we come unto Him little by little, but it does come!

 I wish to share a personal experience from my time as a missionary in South America. With a rigorous work schedule and daily consistency of objectives and goals- the routine of missionary work often like many parts of life becomes tedious and very repetitive. It is very easy if one is not careful to slip into memorized lesson plans and an almost minimal effort to meeting daily quotas. I noticed how often my checklist mentally would suck the joy and vision right out of my personal mandate to help others. I remember slowly coming to this realization when I began to feel that I was there not to fill my schedule with appointments or see how many people (numbers wise) I could contact in a day- I was there to help people, not numbers, feel and know there is a living God  who is invested in their lives and loves them perfectly. As this lesson was instilled drop by drop into my heart I recognized a love of the work that was beyond contagious and filled me with such purpose and direction that I looked forward to the once common daily activities. And again I was never perfect at it, and would still find myself from time to time blinded by a checklist- but I do recall one such occasion that not only changed from a day of checklists to checkpoints but even more turned from a checkpoint to a turning point.

            I had been serving for about 9 months and knew the routine fairly well. Woke up the same time each day, studied at the same hour, walked up and down the same streets, yelled at by the same local intoxicated individuals ; same smells, same foods, same lack of understanding the language- day in and day out. Don't get me wrong I had experienced several special moments in those 9 months that are very sacred to me, and even in little ruts where I felt exhausted and lost I still tried my best to work hard everyday. But I came to a point where I began to see the Lord could help do more if I tried new things. Prior to that insight, I felt dry in my abilities and saw no yielding fruits. That same month we were attending the General Conference of the church and as I sat and listened to the Prophet and Apostles speak- small embers began to glow in my heart. As that particular session broke my companion and I remained in the church building seeing as going home to eat would make it difficult to return back for the last session that evening. We took time to reflect and study, sitting to ourselves. I sat in the back of the chapel still within eye-shot of my companion and sank in my chair pleading with God for what I called spiritual fuel, for help. As I expressed my concerns I turned to the scriptures and was directed to passages that began to fill my soul with a familiar love and voice. As I did I felt the glow of my testimony in a small and simple way fill me with a vision of giving myself to the Lord. 

           That night as we left the conference before heading home we had some extra time to kill and filled with a new spirit I felt as if I was waking up slowly and we decided to go contact a few people on the street. After a few uninterested people, we stopped at a home and greeted a young man and his family just outside their door. Our positioning had it so that I ended up cut-off from my companion who proceeded to talk with the rest of the family leaving me with this young man in our own conversation. Know that I had never carried a conversation nor even initiated one by myself prior to that evening. Nervous and with out linguistic support from my native speaking companion I reverted back to my memorized introduction, checking off bit by bit what I could say. Once brought to that terrifying fork in conversation where I had no where else to turn with nothing more to say- those small glowing embers from my experience at church stirred in my heart and I began asking questions I did not have memorized. As the questions came the conversation picked up spirit and so did I, as suddenly the world as I knew it disappeared from my view; my fears, inadequacies, tired feelings of routine work, all of it gone. We took a seat on the curb of the road just Him and I (my companion still conversing with the others) as we sat I felt completely dedicated to my task at hand- and started share our message of God's love and a restored gospel with out the aid of a my companion- definitely with the aid of a heavenly one. 

         This young man in an instant became the most important thing to me and the only thing I wanted to do was tell him how much this gospel had blessed my life. The conversation climaxed with him want wing to know more and us uniting with the others in group, the family invited us all back for later that week.  I left that warn-out street curb on wings, I was reminded of why I went on a mission, and filled with a love and excitement  so satisfying that it pacified every desire to quit or complain. It was a sacred experience of literally walking hand in hand with the Lord. It was so real to me- everything I had been taught from God's plan to Joseph Smith's prayer to my very own love of the Savior. There that night with that special person- the miracle of Gods work burned bright.

-That moment became a checkpoint for future times whenever I was tempted to feel tired of the day to day duties and remind myself of what can happen when we invest beyond the checklist.

I pray that story can serve as a witness that we can experience something much more real, the very changing of our hearts! This is not to say ruts and checklist disappear overnight or don't come back. Nor would dare preach that dramatic experiences happen every time we perform each principle, the Lord will ask us to show faith in His timing. But I emphatically suggest that this idea of converting daily gospel living- striving to invest a little more day by day, is the very path we should walk in mortality, for it leads right to the Savior. Much like a good workout we do the daily steps so we can use those strengths in time of need. Our progress is gradual but yields result over time. Sure their will be days where we probably will not be able to differentiate today's workout from yesterday's but we are always getting closer to that perfect brightness of hope- new light, new strength and fresh starts. 

So let's try and use the components of the gospel as our life's checkpoints. We can search the scriptures for answers we need, converse openly in prayer, attend the temple for new light, and especially the sacrament to help us prepare and improve from week to to week. We need not compare ourselves to others by entertaining rigorous amounts of detailed to our lists of accomplishments. Rather if we humbly help each other live the gospel and use it as daily checkpoints through scripture and prayer a renewal of covenants and hope--- pressing forward I know the joy of gospel living in all its wonder will unfold piece by piece. For I truly "Stand all amazed"- by the Lord and His work, "Oh it is wonderful, wonderful to me"!

For further study on this topic please consider the following-

-Mosiah Chapter 5 (Book of Mormon)

- I Stand all Amazed (LDS Hymnal)

- "Are you sleeping through the Restoration" By President Dieter F Uchtdorf. 

{Images Provided through Google Imaging and Paints are property of the LDS Gospel Library}

To Whom Shall We Look

To Whom Shall We Look?

By: Jacob Sok

(From June 18th 2014-)

From sleep's deep embrace I was awoken to the sound of an early morning alarm. That piercing sound shot past my ears and went straight to my heart; as it was not going to be a typical morning. On this particularity rain and clouded morning my family and I piled into the car, enveloped in the stillness of  daylight yet to break, we drove to airport. Not much was said in the car, maybe a few jaunts and teasing gestures common to light-hearted family small talk- mainly presented by myself to provide a rather superficial shield in hopes of preventing any to see past the facade of what was really my hesitant and nervous heart. It was on that wet summer morn, that I was about to embark on a two year service mission to South America. While I truly had a desire to go and made the decision to do so with much sincerity, I still felt incapacitated by inadequacy and fear. 

The simple and calm talk of the car was suddenly broken simultaneously as I felt the wheels of the vehicle come to a parking position.With bags unloaded and ticketing all accounted for, I was escorted by my family to the security checking station where our final goodbyes were to be exchanged. As I tried to prepare for the coming moment- I noted that each hug from each family member began to grow in length, it would prove to be futile efforts on my part, trying to prevent the coming separation. To my surprise my composer was maintained and I turned towards the security corridor rather calm. As a mass drew towards the rear of my position; flanking me from either side, my family was cut off from my view. It was in that moment- I felt a intense loneliness that I had not known prior. 

Due to the curvature of the line that held me captive, an unexpected break in the sea of people presented itself and along with it, to my surprise, a view of my family still standing their waving goodbye. My heart sank as I felt already starved of their company. I tried to wave back in manner that would preserve the connection for as long as possible. As that my eyes trailed those of my family, my gaze suddenly became fixed on my mother who stood boldly in what would be the last spot with proximity to my visual. I saw in that last second so much light and love beaming from her face; I wanted nothing more to than to remain there forever. The embers of that hope were instantly drenched by the pouring rain of  my final view of them being abruptly taken. Now absolutely consumed by what seemed to be an endless array of faceless people, I distinctly remember a solemn static begin to cloud my sense of the moment and for the first time breach in my superficial composer- with a nervous quiver of my lower lip and the start of tears that seemed to come from my very center. Just then a firm and inviting voice of a gentleman ahead of me in line broke the static of my solitude and said warmly "Where'er you going Elder?" Like the scratch of vinyl record I felt all the clouds disperse and deep loneliness leave in flash. I muttered a slightly less than audible response to his inquiry and the man nodded and heading to his plane slipped from my view. As I walked away from that brief conversation I felt instantly strengthened and excited for what lie ahead; that simple question awoke in me a remembrance of what was going on and allowed my focus to turn from that of grief to a happy imagining of where I was going and more importantly would we be there along side me.  

____________________________________________________________________

This personal experience while it may not seem like much to some, has left a lasting impact on me. I remember later that day constantly reflecting on what had just happened. Two things struck me; one a deep gratitude for that random stranger who I know was heaven sent, to with one simple question minister a much needed hope and sense of direction unto me. He will never know what that meant to me, but I thanked heaven for him. The second thing I took away from that experience was the question itself "Where'er you going?"- This question has served as a seed of much thought, and if I may, use it as a foundation for a simple message that I was reminded of this week. 

There is much to be disused when considering the significance of applying the question of "where are we going?", to life. But what happened over the course of time, in my heart, because of this question- has been a blessing and strength to me. 

Reflecting on that experience I could not help but remember the stark contrast in dark to light - despair to joy that occurred. As I truly began to contemplate where I was going my thoughts turned heavenward; I was going to go participate in the work of the Lord, I knew that great opportunities were coming my way, I was also reminded my family was going to be watched out for and protected and we would be reunited in due time. 

With some slight alteration to this poignant question I would ask, "To whom are we going?" The more I chose to dedicate my attention and faith to this gospel, the more I reminded that as we strive to remember where we are going or to whom we need to look; we invite power and direction into our lives. It is to easy to be, as I was, consumed by the loneliness of life; be it physical or emotional, and especially spiritual- it comes to all of us. Times when we the rug of stability has been taken out from under our feet. I have come to understand that this occurs when we begin to turn our gaze away from the things that matter most, namely the person that matters most in our lives. 

I try my best to testify of healing grace and heaven's aid because it is not an idea of the frenzied mind but very real. However, I often forget that probably the first step in rooting oneself in those comforts is a reminder of where we should look; and that is Jesus Christ. 

In the Book of Mormon the Prophet Nephi wrote about a prophesy of an ancient people that seemed to also have troubles with fixing their gaze on or even recognizing the hope in the Savior. In Second Nephi Chapter 2 verse 25 we read, "And after they have been scattered ...from generation to generation until they shall be persuaded to believe in Christ, the Son of God, and the atonement, which is infinite for all mankind and when that day shall come that they shall believe in Christ, and worship the Father in his name, with pure hearts and clean hands, and look not forward any more for another Messiah."  The verse depicts the hardship or as it says scattering and scourging, of this people because they went looking for another hope or Messiah. When we get scattered in life, do we look for comfort in the wrong places? Do we put our faith or dedicate our focus in the things that in the end leave us desolate? There is a simple solution.

I pray the spirit may inspire something of what I wish I could express; I also pray that if their be any tone in this narrative that it be one of hope- because in all truthfulness that is all I wish to convey. I testify that Christ is this very hope and the very source we should look to, and head towards.

Nephi prefaces that verse by saying "my soul delighteth to prophesy concerning him ...and my heart doth magnify his holy name." because he himself has been a witness of, what the chapter also goes on to describe as, "a marvelous work and a wonder". The wonder is the very work of changing the nature of all mankind; finding heaven on earth and growing in the love of the Lord. He is the source of not only all happiness but is the advocate of our success. 

I remember once working with a group of youth and we were discussing the principle of where we should place our faith. We posed this question of why we tend to have more faith in our phones than we do our Savior. I asked them rather simply; when they have a question on a certain homework assignment, if they had any doubts that they would  be able to find the answer to their research on the internet? They all replied unanimously that it would would be certain and easy to find what they needed via the internet. Then in comparison it was asked if we had that same kind of certain or confidence- if we had a question that we could in lure of turn to the internet turn to God for an answer. "Imagine what we could do if we had as much faith in God; as we do in Google!" 

When Peter in the New Testament asks to come unto the Lord whilst the Savior is walking upon the water, he with his gaze towards Jesus walks on upon the water successfully. However with the raging winds and storms around him I imagine it was hard to keep his gaze fixed on the Savior an he begins to sink. Just then the loving arm of the Savior reaches out-saving him. By taking our focus off the Lord we tend to sink in life as well. I myself, am often tempted to turn my gaze and look for another source of hope; only to find that I have forgotten where I  am going. But gladly Nephi adds to his prophesy a bold testimony in verses 26-27 he explains why we should look to Christ, "We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophesies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins. That they ...may look forward unto that life which is in Christ."    We need not wander we need not guess, Christ will always be the answer and always be there; for His gaze is always fixed on us. I hope that I can pattern my life to one that invites Christ in, so I may always know where to look. 

While many questions and uncertainties unfold in the- day to day, we can take heart in this promise that by placing our faith in and our gaze on the Savior- we will surly find that strength and guide we need to find the happiness that leads us right to our heavenly home. 

My testimony of this truth is that of Nephi's; in verse 23 when he said "We labor diligently to write, to persuade our children and also our brethren, to believe in Christ and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." I know this to be true and I guess you can say it is why I have decided to once more turn my gaze to Jesus Christ; for I have come to know Him and wish to live in manner that will permit me to continue to get to know Him even better. he has been the source of happiness, has taught me where I should go. He is the constant grace of my life. The adversary tries to turn our gaze by making us feel that we don't enough about life or the Savior -- when in reality it's plenty enough just knowing the Savior.

I'll be the first to say that I don't know much--I am getting to know Him. I do know He is the Son of God and The Savior of the world; I love Him and I know He is the why and the how to our reason to rejoice and sing as we often do "How Great Thou Art".  Let simply try this week and from now on to put our focus on things that yield happiness that bring us closer to the Lord. Spend a little more time with the Savior and little less time with our worries and we will begin to see that light we need. He being the Light of the World said "The light of the body is the eye; if, therefore, thine eye be single , thy whole body shall be full of light"(3 Nephi 13:22). We are not left in the dark as we strive to keep our eye focused on that perfect Light.

Next time you feel a little lost or don't know where to look- I'd invite you to ponder the simplicity of God's gentle command in the lyrics of one of my favorite songs "What does the Father ask of us, what do the scriptures say; Have faith, have hope, live like His Son. Help others on their way!"  



To further your study on this topic prayerfully consider the following sources:
- 2 Nephi Chapter 25/ 3 Nephi 11 (Book of Mormon)
- "He Sent His Son" (LDS Primary Hymnal)
- Be of Good Cheer; By Thomas S Monson; Prophet (LDS.org/General Conference)


{All pictures supplied by Google Imaging and Paintings are property of the LDS Gospel Library}

You Can Only Move Forward- The Amazing Grace

You Can Only Move Forward--The Amazing Grace
By: Jacob Sok

It was 10:30pm after a hard day's work, and my knees hit the cold cement floor of our tiny apartment in Lima, Peru. Serving as missionary was proving to be much more laborious than any typical Sunday school class or youth group activity I had grown accustomed to. It had been a day not uncommon to missionaries of long hours in the hot South American climate, crowed buses and swarms of traffic, fallen appointments and little success. Despite several days and what felt like weeks of similar conditions, my companions and I did our best. It was kneeling on that cement floor that I would often seek counsel and comfort from Heaven concerning the current and rather dismal lack of yield in fruit to our recent efforts. Physically whipped and emotionally drained I often remembered waking up mid prayer in time to apologetically say a very exhausted amen and slink into a more typical sleeping position off my knees.

As I recall one particular Sunday morning, I remember walking to a Church Worship Service with a lot on my mind. Sitting on the hard wooden pew in the rising caloric heat in the tiny church building I kept silent and ponderous. My heart I am sure said a brief simple prayer that I believe reached my Heavenly Father's ears. I decided to pick up an old tattered hymnal and randomly thumb through the selections. As I read the title of the first one I saw a simple message was relayed to my troubled self, the hymn read;¨¡A vencer! or Carry On.

While many things were left to be settled and sorted that simple lyrical command invited a new sense of love and hope in to my body I recall writing a notation that it was one of the first times hope seemed palpable as if I could hold the feeling in my hand.

Pondering what I could share this week has been the culmination of tiny experiences over the years that were insightful after connecting them to a few passages of scripture I came across in my scripture study this week. The essence of this simple truth can be summarized in one phrase--- You can only go forward.

This sentence came across my mind recently and has been the cause of a much pondering. It saddens me to hear the rather cynical connotation people place on life. Being guilty of this myself, I have come to learn recently that Life in of itself is a beautiful thing and is a gift from God, but rather it is mortality that proves at times to be a trial of faith.  I think we as humans often find ourselves in spiritual ruts, plateaued seasons of motivation due to small return- compared to our great efforts. On any given day it would not be abnormal to hear around the office water cooler or school cafeteria something to the effect "this is worst", "life is a pain", and "if I could only get back to the good life". If any of those phrases ring as familiar to you as they do to me, it is probably because beyond the schoolyard and workplace those phrases have been uttered in our very own hearts.

I do not know exactly why life brings an abundance of joyful seasons and those of sorrow or why is it we don't seem to have the capability to eliminate weakness and struggles from our nature immediately, but this I do know God's plan, as we often forget, is entitled the Plan of HAPPINESS, and all seasons of life are part of it.

The Book of Mormon beautifully explains that "it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things"(2 Nephi 2:11) good to bad, choice to consequence, joy to sorrow, strength to weakness and sun to rain, just to name a few. The hills and declines and ping-pong like quips from everyday life can easily disorient and discourage us.

Satan would have us believe that as we slip-up we are done for and lost. He is so determined to make us miserable because he will never know the joy of being able to move forward. I often find that when it comes to letting go and forgiving myself, or even permitting myself to maintain any positive forward momentum that I fall into this enticing lie of his.

He tempts us to feel, as we try to brush ourselves off-- that we have reached the infamous "point of no return". Placing that rather vainly imaginative chip on our shoulder he actually tries to convince us that going back to the past is actually the best solution or only possible destination. He wants us to think its our duty to progress by going backwards. Progressing onward by moving ourselves backward?-- to use a treasured idiom from Elder Jeffery R Holland "well isn't that like trying to stuff a turkey through the beak".

This my dear friends is not a life! Beating ourselves up with the "what if's" of trails to only despairingly have our heads hang down. I for one feel rather tired of the view of my feet from when my head hangs in discouragement. It would be a greater benefit to our spirits (and as my mom would kindly remind me; a benefit to my posture as well) to look up, for that is truly then only direction we can go. No amount of wishing and worrying will transport us back to the past. Our feet might I add, were physically designed to only point forward not backwards.

While I know the Lord does not condone sin or encourage mistakes, I also know He in his infinite mercy allows us to learn from them and not be left as the victims. I know that I need to work on this more and more everyday, but I am grateful that I am learning to little by little. Now I hope to be able to do, if anything, from one human to another encourage us all to try and take those leaps of faith FORWARD where life and the Lord await us.

To think that the Lord's plan for us includes means by which we can grow through the trials and temptations and heal through His power at the same time carrying us on far beyond those troubled parts of the past, truly is the Amazing Grace we may sing about but so often forget to use or allot ourselves.

A Book of Mormon Prophet named Jacob shares with us in a few passages this very truth. Found in 2 Nephi Chapter 10 verse 21 includes "Seeing that our merciful God has given us so great knowledge concerning these things, let us remember him, and lay aside our sins, and not hang down our heads, for we are not cast off."  
Seems that our generations were not the only ones prone to this self-inflicted restriction to grace and being happy as we learn and try to become better. The verse continues "we have been driven out of the land of our inheritance; but we have been led to a better land for the Lord has made the sea our path". We like those of ancient times try and turn back to our own lands of the past, when we fail to see that Lord took the storms and seas of life to become a pathway to a much better life.

I know the Lord while maybe not inherently pleased with some of my choices has when I have let Him, taught me and brought me to a much better place. Far better then trying to go back. He in fact paid the price so I would be able to let those things go as I draw closer to Him. Jacob also brings to light that "thy God pleadeth the cause of his people; behold I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling...thou shalt no more drink it again." (2 Nephi 8:22). He advocates the hopes and efforts we make to try and try again, tenderly drinking on our behalf from the trembling cup of our set backs and struggles so that we may be able to move forward.

My love for the Savior has come to grow even more knowing of some of what he has drunk for me on my behalf. If anything I have obtained once again, a greater desire to change and use repentance piece by piece everyday. To reconcile with the Lord is not so much a stop sign for living, rather than a bridge for progressing, that supports us constantly as we pattern it into our lives.

I will never forget some wise and timely counsel from a dear Professor of mine, who to paraphrase said, "God created the body so it would be difficult to do two things; pat yourself on the back, and kick yourself in the pants".  How we must learn to not hinder happiness and healing grace by beating ourselves up.

The Prophet Moroni who helped in the compiling of the Book of Mormon often remarks how he felt worried by the possible errors of writing in the book made by his weakness in that craft. He said on the book's title page "If there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God" He knowing he was prone to mistakes, in not the doctrine of the book but any faults in the writing itself, says that they are mistakes of him, yet we should still love the work and truths of the Lord therein. When we fail in life, we too frequently almost condemn ourselves; when we only see our faults. Our mistakes are not what define us, rather they are common mortal slip ups God knew would happen. We are of God, being his children, hence we should not condemn ourselves because we have the chance to change.

I pray we can take heart, and allow ourselves not necessarily a little slack but rather a portion of the Lord's grace. Writing this article for me has been not so much a want to share insight, but  much more a plead for help in this common habitual pitfall. Though I am not perfect at it, God in His love has permitted me to taste small and special moments of this principle and I testify of it being true.

So with all the love of my heart and new sense of dedication to enjoying the wonders of the life in all it's seasons; I pray we can all keep our chins up to heaven and our knees down in prayer, moving forward in His grace to the spirit of that special hymn "Carry on, Carry on!".


To further your study on this topic; prayerfully consider the following sources:

- Carry On (LDS Hymnal)
- Tomorrow the Lord will Work Wonders Among You:
                                   By Jeffery R Holland, Apostle of the Lord.
- 2 Nephi Chapters 2 and 9.

{All Pictures found through Google Imaging, Paintings are property of the LDS Gospel Library}

Healing Through Humility

Healing Through Humility 

By: Jacob Sok

Many years ago the iconic American Comedic Legend, Bob Hope was presented a gold medal of service by President Kennedy of the United States for his dedicated service often given to the country and more specifically the military. At this momentous occasion was cited to say rather humorously "I feel very humble, but I think I have the strength of character to fight it".

This quote was provided by a website I came across recently, delivers a tiny preamble to something that has been on my mind this week. As of late I have been pondering different traits or qualities of the Savior. This week I had chosen to consider that of humility, an attribute that is truly the quest of everyday.

When usually caught in a rut I have come to recognize it it because I have neglected to apply the healing grace of God offered in the application of a particular quality. I liken the many attributes of Christ like unto a pharmacy full of many medicinal remedies for our spiritual ailments. I would suggest that when we get caught in the entanglements of the natural man, we need only consult our heavenly physician. Who will then in turn prescribe the right prescription of the necessary quality we need in order to return to spiritual health. These attributes are layered in principle and are exponential in application. As like most of the Christ-like characteristics we wish to cultivate ourselves, I believe humility is one of these that can be understood and applied at new levels as we progress in our life's journey and our understanding of the gospel.

 

Humility is has dichotomy in its nature, which means that it's power lies in the contrasting forces of its make up. Humility or to be humble is to put off our natural reaction to enlarge our self-conceived status to create a prideful spirit that would have us think we are better than some, and instead turn to dependence on the grace and love Lord and those around us to progress with pure intent not for praise.

I read recently a rather funny quote from an anonymous source the stated "Swallow your pride it's non fattening." The book Preach My Gospel, includes a beautiful perspective on humility. "Humility is willingness to submit to the will of the Lord and to give the Lord the honor for what is accomplished. It includes gratitude for His blessings and acknowledgment of your constant need for His divine help. Humility is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of spiritual strength" (PMG, Chapter 6). It truly is not just the opposite of pride, but much more than that elementary concept it goes even further to show that it's an opportunity to depend on a healing power that brings us to the betterment of ourselves.

I had grown up with the idea that is was much better to be humble than to be humbled. While there is some truth to that I believe that in our weaknesses Satan would deceive us into complacency, but God in His love grants opportunities to not only quit or learn but to repent retry and restart accompanied by the help of our Savior. What an incredible concept.

Now as said humility like the other attributes have many layers and mean different things as the adapts to teach and solve new problems we find. While I could talk about pride and being humble, I feel at this particular time to emphasize another layer of humility referring to the gracious opportunities found in our weakness to love the Lord.

The Book of Mormon teaches a very beautiful truth in the Book of Ether chapter 12 that "if men come unto me I will show unto them their ​​​weakness​. I ​​​give​ unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my ​​​grace​ is sufficient for all men that ​​​humble​ themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make ​​​weak​ things become strong unto them." How wondrous is God and how spectacular is His love. I often find myself when thinking of the Savior feeling overwhelmed because I feel I will never be at His level, I mean trying to walk in the shoes of He who is perfect is daunting. But at the same time I feel relived even in my imperfections because that just means as I play my cards right I just have several opportunities to try know my Savior. As I do He promises to help my weakness become strengths.

While reading the Book of Nephi, we have an account of a similar feeling in his heart. In 2 Nephi Chapter 4, which has come to contain some of my most favorite scripture, we find a narrative of Nephi's heart in a particularly trying time. To highlight just some of what he states "I am encompassed about, by the temptations which do so easily beset me. When I desire to rejoice my heart groaneth because of my sins." He like us felt the humbling reality of his imperfections. Yet it never ceases to inspire his determination to take those weakness as an opportunity to heal, rather than a reason to quit.

 

He continued "Nevertheless I know in whom I have trusted. My God hath been my support. By day I have waxed bold in mighty prayer...my voice I have sent up on night and angels have come down and ministered unto me. If the Lord ...hath visited men in his mercy, why should my heart weep." While the Lord does not condone our mistakes, He does not leave us victims to them.

Nephi then applies the power of humility by praying to the lord saying "O Lord wilt thou redeem my soul? Make me that I shake at the appearance of sin. My heart is broken and my spirit is contrite. Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way- but that thou wouldst clear my way before me."

He concludes by stating that he will not put his trust in the arm of flesh but God, because as we ask He will help us.

I believe this with all my heart that as we develop a spirit of repentance or continual growth which is that contrite spirit and broken heart. The weakness that beset or humble us open a door to grace and change.

This became very real this week and permit me if may to share a real life 2017 example of this and I pray that my sharing this will invite the spirit of what I wish to convey to be a beacon for hope in our efforts to be more like Christ.

           

            This week as I chose to ponder humility it was interesting how many weakness I became to notice that I often succumb to. Thought my hope and testimony of the Lords mercy was re-affirmed just this week. One particular weakness of mine, is poor planing and frankly occasional procrastination. While furthering my formal education, in a particularly more rigors course we were assigned a few weeks ago a rather intense research assignment. The assignment would require that I based on my thesis interview several people of varying generations including those of older and past generations, for opinions. The assignment as first presented and intercepted by myself seems rather simple and fun, I gave no time to reading the actual rubric and assumed I would call family members and perform rather effortlessly the interviews.  By not reading the rubric I seriously underestimated the project's criteria and in my a final class session that we would have prior to the coming due date, our TA explained once more in hopes reminding us that the project actually would require that we be physically present with all those we planned to interview along with several other comments I was not aware of due to my negligence. My first response was one I am not to proud of with instantaneous complaining and a few rather ignorant sarcastic responses in class. In that moment I began to feel frustrated and overwhelmed, I began planing my withdrawal from the class and accepting a what I felt to be undeserved defeat.

           

          In a brief pause to my complaining I was given a glimpse of how rather pathetic I sounded and reminded myself that I brought this upon my self by procrastinating. In that weak moment just as the class ended, I bowed my head right there at my desk and apologized for the compliant and asked to effect that I could manage to accomplish the assignment and in essence be guided to work the problem. As I left the room my brain started to work more tactically at solving the problem and ideas came slowly, climaxing at a moment when after a few hours of thinking and talking to a friend who even offered to take me visit some of his older family for interviews, that I decided what I know has to be an answer from a God to simply go and see if I could find a multi-generational interest group at my universities genealogy readers have center. No sooner than I walked I was treated by a elderly women with an angelic offer inquiring if I need help with any thing. She cordially agreed to the interview and introduced me to several others that ended up fulfilling the requirements.

            This humble yet real moment had me go from wanting to quit to reestablishing my hope in God in less than 4hrs. I walked home absolutely  in awe and happy as can be, knowing God is in the details of my life including the details of my problem's solutions.

Full disclosure I have come to except that I have my weakness but I said before I wish to testify and leave a current as can be witness, seeing as this happened the same day I wrote this article, in our weakness we can as Nephi take heart even a humble or broken heart and find the Lord opening the door to us coming closer to Him. We need only trust in His power and do what we can and I promise He not only consecrated but also directs our efforts. More that feeling better about an assignment I feel more conscious of my Savior's hand in my life and while I have a lot to change I can as Nephi feel glad knowing the Lord is helping become the best I can be.

I pray that even though it's frustrating and it is always a little discouraging finding our weakness... I know that not only is His grace sufficient, it is an exponential gift we can find as we humbly seek it.

To further your study on this topic please prayerfully consider the following sources:

- Book of Mormon: 2 Nephi 4

- Always Remember Him By: Henry B. Eyering

- Our Savior's Love: (LDS Hymnal) 

{All pictures supplied by Google Images, Paintings are property of the LDS Gospel Library}