Beyond a Common Man

Beyond a Common Man
By: Jacob Sok


It was a beautiful August morning; the sun was shining, the green trees were bending to the wind's command and the aroma of instant soup, notebooks, and future laundry enveloped a loaded vehicle of which I was at the helm. I was driving myself down to school for another semester, which would have me on the bridge of my vessel, a 2002 Town and Country Mini-van, for about 12hrs. Leaving what I consider to be some the most beautiful country, I began my trek through the amazingly and celestially handcrafted northwestern United States.

Shortly into the drive as I made my way towards the interstate, I had a moment of enlightenment that has since sealed to me several prior impressions and lessons of my life. Turning down my radio of classic crooning rat-pack music, I was given a moment of reflection as I drove in middle of dozens of cars on either side of me. As I observed each car I saw vividly several different scenes play out. (Though I do not know the exact circumstances of every driver, it was clear to see the varying scenarios unfold) For example, a group of young gals on a shopping spree, an old truck driving shipping his cargo, a mom and daughter reconnecting,  an attentive patrol officer, to young family's weekend excursion to the lake.

While again, those conjunctures were speculative, whatever the actual settings were in those individual vehicles, they were not as important to me as the lesson itself. My heart was touched by the realization that these people were very real, each with their own stories and purposes for being on that road at that time. The exponential backgrounds and circumstances that layered the foundation for the varying stages of everyone on that road were as vast and infinite as the telestial figures that light the night sky.

In that moment I did not see these people as mere figures, but I felt a connection to real beings with actual meanings and experiences that have chartered their life courses. And, I by no means wish to make more of this than what really transpired--yet sitting their behind the wheel of my swagger-wagon left enough of impression on me to help facilitate the culmination of a life long lesson: the worth of the human soul.

In the book Acts Chapter 10 Peter was being prepared by the Lord to issue in a monumentous  direction for the young church. He was shown in a vision fields of a variety of beasts. Of these, he was invited to partake, to which he concerningly declined explaining to the Lord that these beasts where unholy animals, of which Peter and his Jewish culture had covenanted not to eat. The Lord explains in verse 15 "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common" This was to symbolically teach Peter that the Lord through his prophet would commence his work among all nations of the earth including the gentiles, or those "unclean/ common" not of Peter's faith.

Peter is brought to the home of a gentile centurion by the name of Cornelius, who with his house-hold was prepared by the Lord to receive the gospel. The historic meeting of not only Jew and Gentile but Prophet and Seeker of truth proved to be the fruition of prophesy long foretold, in a dispensation when the work of Christ would be carried out among all people.

The heart of this story comes to me, when Peter declares to his skeptical Jewish band of followers in verse 28, "God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean." What a lesson for us all. From my humble example in the car to other treasured moments, like Peter in my own way I have come to learn that we must refrain from the cancerous dangers of labels and stereotypes, the judging with the natural eye to those around us.

It has come bit by bit for me, being an introvert, to really grasp the idea of the worth and immense potential of every soul around me has taken time. People truly are a gift, God's gift in fact. We are part of God's family, and each of us have been molded by our individual circumstances. We would do well, to take heart in the Savior's admonition to love one another, even our neighbors as ourselves.

I am grateful to have been taught by my parents and my upbringing to have been raised "color-blind", to sense where race and ethnicity never have been factors in my perception of people. But, I have had to learn the need to extend more compassion and a loving influence to people over the years by just being nicer in general. I have found great and simple joy recently in learning to consciously strive to refrain from making quick judgments or light teasings of people around me in the everyday.

When contemplating hopes for the new year, I decided to live this year by a mantra rather than small goals. My mantra comes from the lyrics of one of my favorite hymns; "In the quiet heart is hidden sorrows that the eye can't see" (Lord I Will Follow Thee, LDS). My hope this year, much like Peter had to learn, is to go beyond giving people the benefit the doubt, but actually learn to see them through the Heaven's eyes.

Not too long ago I was talking with a dear friend of mine and we came to the realization that literally just about everyone and anyone we could name or meet has been effected by cancer in some way or form, be it a family member or friend or them directly. Well just as the song invites us to recognize the hidden sorrows the eye can't see, everyone we know and meet have been effected by the sorrows and cancers of the world in some way. Cancers of heartache, depression, job-loss, divorce, abuse, or just plain hard days. As we learn to embrace beyond the humanity but the divinity in everyone around us, we will feel the divinity within ourselves begin to illuminate our lives.

Elder Renlund of the Twelve Apostles has said, "We cannot completely fulfill our covenant obligation to mourn with those who mourn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort unless we see them through God's eyes. This expanded perspective will open our hearts to the disappointments, fears, and heartaches of others." I would add that we would also come to know their joys, hopes and potential.

I hope that I may learn to not call "any man common", I know I need God's love and grace in my life to its full extent, so may be first in line to extend that to others. Through the pure love of Christ we can learn to not condone wrong actions while not condemning the actors. Seeing the world and our brothers and sisters this way is what will usher in that heralding salutation of old "and on earth peace, good will towards men".






Amen.

Sources:
- Acts 10
- LDS Hymnal, "Lord I Will Follow Thee"
- Elder Renlund, Oct Conf. 2015
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We Thank Thee, Oh God for a Prophet

We Thank Thee, Oh God for a Prophet
By: Jacob Sok

A new year. A new start. And, hopefully a new me! 2018 has begun leaving me with a cacophony of feelings from excitement, to hope, dysphoria and a enough wiggle room for whatever the day decides to throw in for fun.

Much of the past year was a growing experience but at the end of day I have had the impression time and time again, to just kneel in gratitude for the richly woven tapestry that has become my life. In this time of transition my heart yearns for not so much new resolutions for the year but humble anthems, themes if you will, that will set the tone for my efforts to love, serve, and become like my Father in Heaven this year.

My heart is grateful once again, to share my thoughts with you; especially under a new study of the New Testament, with of course other volumes of scripture. I pray that the Lord will consecrate my weaknesses to, if possible, help you and I feel once again of "His goodness and mercy" (Hymn, 19 LDS).

Recently we witnessed the passing of, man I have loved and sustained even since I was a small boy. Yes, a man I even knew to have been a Prophet of the Lord Jesus Christ. President Monson, passed away just shortly into the year's commencement and it struck a chord with me tenderly contemplating the passing of this giant of a man.

Through restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in this dispensation, the Lord has made it very clear His church it to be a living church. From the Prophet Joseph Smith down through the prophetic mantle to Thomas Monson, we have seen an unbreakable eternal pattern of leaders chosen by God to be His mouthpiece and our guides in these latter-days. Just recently we had the privilege to witness again the power of God's living and vibrant hand in guiding this church, as we saw His provision of a Prophet again, in the leadership of President Russell M Nelson. It was special to hear of the sacred powers that presided this time of transition, that facilitated divinely directed approval for the setting-a-part of this great leader.

This influence and divine pattern of approval is not new, but even found anciently. In the book of Acts chapter 1, we find the young church established by Christ, a few 120 saints, in a similar state of transition. Christ had just finished his mortal ministry and established a founding pattern for the perpetual nature of His church and priesthood through His living and ordained Apostles. Presiding charge was given by the Lord to Peter the Chief or Senior Apostle at that time, and in the book's introductory chapter we find Peter and the Saints gathering in Jerusalem in preparation for Pentecost, a traditional Jewish Holiday.

Peter gathered the reaming apostles and they took unto much prayer and supplication to know the Lord's will concerning whom the Lord would have serve as apostles of the Lord. Having counseled together and pondered Luke records  in verses 24-25 this humble inquiry to the Savior, "Thou, Lord which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these...thou hast chosen. That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship".

The Savior made it clear to his prophetic and apostolic leaders whom was to fill the vacancies in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The main requirements for such an office where made quite clear just a few verses earlier in v.22 explaining from the baptism given by John to the Saviors ministry and death, ordained by the Lord's servants, they are to "be a witness with [the apostles] of [Christ's] resurrection".

While much could be said, I was humbled to recognize we while not transition from the magnitude of new horizons that followed Christ's death like these saints, we too still have found in our day, even this week a chance to witness the living reality of this special office be filled by Messianic appointment and modern apostolic confirmation.

I was humbled and great to have had my simple prayer answered, just prior to viewing the proceeding that informed us of President Nelson taking the mantle as Prophet. The Lord helped me feel a distinct love for this man and I knew in my heart that what had unfolded was in my humble confirmed to be God's will.

As change and the world unfold, I know life can be an adventure, the darkest clouds and unsettling times can not compete with the Joy of tomorrow's hope. I pray we may follow the Prophet and trust in the Lord's living hands that truly guide this work, and that we all may sing a that anthem of old--

We thank thee, O God, for a prophet

To guide us in these latter days.

We thank thee for sending the gospel

To lighten our minds with its rays.

We thank thee for every blessing

Bestowed by thy bounteous hand.

We feel it a pleasure to serve thee

And love to obey thy command.