Category: Religious Writings

Spiritual Dyslexia

The following comments are from Carlfred Broderick, professor of sociology, University of Southern California. (Ensign Magazine, August 1986)

“My experience has convinced me that God actively intervenes in some destructive lineages, assigning a valiant spirit to break the chain of destructiveness in such families.

Although these children may suffer innocently as victims of violence, neglect and exploitation, through the grace of God some find the strength to metabolize the poison within themselves, refusing to pass it on to future generations.

Before them there were generations of destructive pain; after them the river flows clear and pure. Their children and children’s children will call them blessed.

In suffering, evidently that others may not suffer, such persons in some degree, become as “ Saviours on Mount Zion” by helping to bring salvation to their lineage.”

To these words, I would like to add my own….

My experience has taught me that some lineages, although not destructive or violent, nonetheless suffer through the smothering anguish of ignorance in silent hopelessness. Into these families, God also assigns valiant spirits to break the chain of spiritual darkness. 

Many of such families are filled with warm, hospitable and good people, who are true to their family duties and responsibilities. However, many yet cling to the old superstitions, false traditions and religious beliefs that promise, but cannot deliver, salvation. To those valiant spirits so assigned, I see their mission as including a three-fold responsibility.

1 / To be obedient to keep and observe the laws and commandments of the gospel so that their lives may be a testimony to their words. Then it can be said that before them there was confusion, fear and unbelief. After them came waters that were clear, brimming with joy, peace, hope and assurance. 

2/ Follow the commitment to find and identify those who are in such lineages so that the saving ordinances required for their salvation may be performed on their behalf.

3/ There will be the great missionary work required to locate and call these family members, now in the spirit world, whose work has been done, to arise from their sleep and embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ.

These good people carried and passed on to us the seed of life so that we might have mortal life. This great gift that we now live, did not come free. Many paid a heavy price. This is especially true of the young fathers who grew old far too soon, toiling at back-breaking and thankless jobs for little more than bread to eat and an unreliable roof to put over their heads. Likewise, their young wives who died giving birth to their children so that the seed of life, which we now carry, could be passed on. 

How can such gifts and sacrifices ever be re-paid? The answer, of course, is by giving to them the truth, knowledge and ordinances by which they may obtain eternal life through the atonement of Jesus Christ. 

One by one, Christ saves each of us. One ancestor at a time  we, in some small degree, perform the role of “Saviour on Mount Zion” for our lineage, similarly to how Christ performed it for us all. 

If we fulfill this assignment, not only will our children and our children’s children call us blessed, but so will our fathers and our father’s fathers before them.

– Douglas T Garrett

Simple Things: Too Good to be True?

When simple things look too good to be true, consider the story found in 2 Kings, chapter 5:

A commander in the Syrian Army by the name of Naaman, was popular, intelligent, a war hero and a born leader. One day he was unexpectantly diagnosed with leprosy. There was no known cure for this disease at that time. They could only isolate the infected person so he would have no contact with anyone else and risk spreading the horrible curse on others. It was not only the end of Naaman’s social life but also the end of his military career (to say nothing of it being a painful way to die). Naaman had heard of a prophet in Israel (see: 2 Kings 5: 3-4) and although he was not a believer himself, his desperation forced him to seek out the man call Elisha.

After having gathered a large amount of money and gifts, along with a company of soldiers and attendants, he set out to visit Elisha. When he finally arrived at the tent of the prophet he was disappointed to have only a servant there to greet him. An important man like himself would rather have been greeted by the prophet. Still, the servant had a message for Naaman: “Go, wash thyself seven times in the River Jordan and thou wilt be healed.” (See: 2 Kings 5: 10.)

Naaman was outraged. 

“Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean?” (2 Kings 5: 11-12.)

Now Naaman had brought with him a large amount of money and gifts. He expected to have to pay for being cured. Indeed, if he had been asked to do some great thing, he would have done it.

What then was the problem with being asked to something so simple and so inexpensive as washing seven times in the local river? Wasn’t it worth even trying? When his own servant pointed that out to him, Naaman admitted he was wrong to have been angry and closed minded. He proceeded to the river to wash seven times as requested. To every one’s amazement, he was healed instantly.( 2 Kings 5: 13-14.)

All Naaman needed to be healed was faith in the prophet and willingness to obey his advice.

Obedience takes faith, and faith overcomes pride. It was really pride that was stopping Naaman from being obedient. It all just looked too simple – too good to be true.

How little things have changed in human nature since that day. We are often asked to do simple things by today’s prophets. And we still sometimes think the words of these men of God to be foolish or meaningless or both. Baptism, paying tithing, studying the scriptures, observing the Sabbath, sure, they help the church. But how could these simple things possibly help me? 

Yes, those things help the Church to be strong, but they are just like what Naaman finally did to be healed. These simple things will also heal and help us to be strong as well. 

Baptism is a process of covenanting with God that we will be obedient. It not only gives us purpose but also opens the door to the help and assistance God can freely offer to sustain our spiritual health and welfare. Baptism also brings with it the Gift of the Holy Ghost which sustains us with knowledge, understanding and the comfort of peace which our hearts long for. (See Mosiah 18:8–10, 13)

Tithing does not require extra money for it to be paid. It requires faith: Faith to put your money on the line and your trust in the Lord, knowing you will not be penalized for obeying him but will rather be blessed for your faith in him. You will never go short when you pay your 10% to the Lord. You may have to learn how to budget, learn how to control spending and better use the 90% (which the Lord really also owns but has allowed you to use for yourself), but you will not go without. (See Malachi 3: 8-10)

Studying the scriptures is how we come to know God. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17: 3)

Observing the Sabbath We observe the Sabbath as a sign of our obedience (Deuteronomy 5: 12-13). We renew and remember our covenant to serve him by attending and participating in his Sacrament (Luke 22:19–20). It is a break from the other 6 days of labour, where we spend our time and devotion to worldly affairs. One could become totally absorbed in those endeavours at the expense of their commitment to God if it were not for the Sabbath Day commitment. Each of these commandments are for our betterment and not his. He is already perfect. He could manage all these things without our help. But we are allowed to participate so that we may learn to become as he is by experience. 

When you ask yourself what price you would pay to get rid of your inflictions, bad habits and addictions, what is your answer? If your doctor told you that a very expensive operation and a very painful recovery would be the solution, would you sign up? Then why not consider what the Lord asks? Is it possible that pride prevents us from taking these simple steps?

We aren’t told what happened to Naaman after he was healed, but his story obviously didn’t end there. It really only began. Our life too can have a new beginning when we let go of pride and grab hold of the words and commandments of Christ. It only requires faith, knowledge and obedience.

“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And what I can do, I ought to do. And what I ought to do, by the grace of God, I shall do.” Edward Everett Hale

– Doug Garrett

I Know, Therefore I Do

From a story found in the Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi, Chapter 3, we read that Lehi’s family fled into the vast, scorching desert to escape the wrath of the Jews who sought their lives. Having reached safety, or so they thought, they then received staggering news. God had commanded the sons of Lehi to return to the danger of Jerusalem to obtain records which contained the history of their people written on brass plates.

Even worse, the plates were in the possession of a treacherous commander of a unit of the army of Israel. He could not be easily approached as there were many soldiers protecting him. The brothers were terrified. But then one of the brothers boldly stood and declared:

” I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know the Lord giveth no commandment unto the children of men save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.” (1Nephi 3:7)

From this statement we learn two very important principles:

1/ God never commands us to do anything that is impossible to do. Without faith it may well appear to be impossible. But the fact remains: no matter what God commands us to do, there is a way and he has already provided it before he asked. Our job is to have faith that the statement is true and to act on that assumption until we discover what the solution is. 

2/ God never issues a command that is for his benefit alone. In each case, in each commandment whatsoever he commanded us to do, it is always, always for the betterment, protection, edification or improvement of his Children. 

We know the second principle to be correct because later, the portion of the people (the people of Zarahemla) who didn’t take written records of their history were unable to retain their language or maintain the memory of the basic purposes of moral, spiritual or intellectual principles. Those who did keep those and future records found them not only to be a stabilizing force for good, but were able to maintain their original language and core values which served as a reservoir of their collective wisdom and customs.

The records of their history were to disclose another equally important principle as well.

Knowing history is not enough by itself. For a society to remain intact, they must also be be willing to have the courage to apply and live what they know.

This is true and applies to every one of us. Most of us perform at a level below that which we know we should. The challenge is to bring our performance up to that higher level of understanding or as Nephi declared, “I know… [therefore] I will go and do.” This struggle determines who we are and what we will become as a people, and as a nation.

As we are always learning, we must therefore always be changing. We must realign our behaviour to match our understanding, knowledge and wisdom.

We are instructed to pray in the morning: “What would thou have me do today?”

Likewise in the evening, our prayer should be: “How well did I do with those assignments you gave me today?

The way to overcome our weaknesses is one step at a time, one weakness at a time. In other words: consistent practice until we are made perfect.

-Doug Garrett

The Value of Truth and Repentance

John 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

These seemingly insignificant 12 words containing 2 promises that could easily be overlooked as having very little practical consequence to those of us who feel we are already free and emancipated. But a closer review discloses a host of things we may never have considered before. 

Truth makes an immense difference to those who are trying to live by it. Let’s take, for example, the truth about repentance.

Repentance Infers There is a God

If there was no God, there would be no right and no wrong. Good and evil would be meaningless. An ultimate judgment would pose no threat to our behavior. Justice and mercy would remain stillborn. Our daily lives would lack motivation, requiring neither a good or evil response to the plight of our fellow men. Our sole concern would be for ourselves, our needs, our survival. 

Repentance Infers There is a Standard  

There is a standard against which we are being measured and found wanting. We are responsible and will be held accountable for our actions. If we are failing, we can change. We can become better through the application of correct principles if we know them. 

Repentance Infers a Current and Final Judgment 

A current judgment reveals our line of trajectory. For instance, how we are doing? Where we are going? How well are we informed? How prepared are we for the final judgment? When we contemplate these answers, it provides more motivation for us to improve ourselves.  

A final judgment is inferred because for what purpose would repentance, correction and a realignment to God’s will serve if in the end it made no difference? No one  would suffer any penalty or gain any blessing for the extreme effort required to be obedient. The scriptures make ample references to the great and final judgment (Alma 40: 11- 14 being perhaps the most explicit), when all of us will, after we have passed from this life, stand before that God who made us, to be held accountable for our deeds in this life.

Repentance Infers Immediate Results 

The way we affect others has a proportional and direct effect upon ourselves. This means if we change for better, the greater will be our influence on others to help them improve their lives too. And the more we help others, the greater the change for good we will experience in own lives. We need not wait until we receive the final judgment to receive blessings. They are unfolded to us the moment we bestow them upon others.

Repentance Infers We Can Change 

We can change from being uninformed and evil to knowing truth and doing good. We can overcome the handicaps of ignorance and poverty through obedience to Christ. The majority of the world has not been taught the concept of repentance. Instead they know only the false practice of confession of sins to avoid the penalties their wrong doings would otherwise bring. There will be justice and compensation for all wrongs done by us, or to us by others. The solution to avoiding the penalties of sin is not just to confess them, but to repent of them and do them no more.

Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

Knowing the truth changes everything we need to understand about why and what we do. The closer to truth our knowledge is, the closer to Godlike behavior we will practice.

Truth will bring hope to all those who embrace it and freedom to all enslaved by ignorance. It can bring peace and understanding, both to us and to the world.

– Doug Garrett

Seeking Forgiveness

We learn the following when the Lord made this statement regarding forgiveness:

D&C 64: 10 “I the Lord will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you, it is required to forgive all men.” 

But the act of forgiving or receiving forgiveness, is not easy. It is complex and requires many preliminary steps. Recognition, remorse, revealing and reconciliation all come before there can be rejoicing. 

When one seeks forgiveness from his fellowman, he is placed in the humble position of a beggar petitioning for something that is beyond his power to acquire for himself. He is totally dependent upon someone else to show mercy before the act can be consummated.

In this respect, forgiveness is a contract between two parties: the transgressor and the transgressed. Failure to reach a mutual agreement on the conditions of the contract means both parties lose. The transgressor remains in debt or bondage, while the transgressed remains unrequited or unreconciled, perhaps even drowning in bitter resentment and soul destroying hurt. Both are chained to each other and cannot move away from the original sin.

Yet the moment forgiveness is fully granted and joyfully received, both are immediately set free. The transgressor is relieved of the burden of his debts and transgression. The transgressed has also removed his own unbearable burden by the very act of forgiving and forgetting. Both come away with an immense feeling of relief and freedom because they are unyoked. They can now move on with life.

It is easier to understand why God would command us to “ forgive all men” if we accept that we, unlike God, are not perfect. The process of becoming perfect requires adopting and mastering the qualities which make him “God” in the first place. Mercy, love, compassion, understanding and humility are required to forgive others who trespass against us while living life. They are also the qualities we must perfect to become as God is. The bigger the debt or offense, the greater the need we personally have for these God like qualities. As we embrace the act of granting mercy, love, compassion and understanding unto to the least of those who seek our forgiveness, we become more worthy to be the recipients of mercy, love compassion and understanding from God – the very being to whom we all stand in debt. The more often we go through the process of forgiveness, the more we progress and qualify to be reconciled with God. Someday, whether we are the transgressor or the transgressed, we will stand in his presence, petitioning for his forgiveness. 

D&C 64: 9 “Wherefore I say unto you that ye ought to forgive one another, for he who foregiveth not his brother his trespasses, standeth condemned before the Lord, for there remaineth in him the greater sin.”

D&C 64: 11 “ And ye ought to say in your hearts – Let God judge between me and thee and reward thee according to thy deeds”

– Doug Garrett

What Offering Will be Enough?

The world tells those that are seeking a deeper personal understanding to go out and find themselves. To set out on a such a mission is a misguided, self-centered concept, fraught with dangerous experimentation. Very often it involves exploring chemical substances, permissive sexual behaviors, extreme sports and/or poor life styles. Notice how these choices that seem to hold out a promise of finding one’s self also include addictive practices which bring instead unsuspected and unbelievable consequences. Misery, loneliness, hopelessness and pain are often the rewards.

Many people who set out on a quest to find themselves unfortunately find they have lost themselves in the very process.

The Lord’s council on the other hand is to “ Lose ourselves in his cause of serving others”.

Matthew 16:25 “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”

He also promises us that in the process, we will discover ourselves. The only thing that can help us understand ourselves better, which is really what “ finding ourselves” is supposed to mean, is serving others.

Alma 37: 34 “Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls.”

Through this process, we discover that no matter how poorly off or mistreated we believe ourselves to be, there are others who are worse off. No matter how little we may think we have to offer, there are others whose needs are much greater – and they desperately need us to share. Only when we serve others do we find those who need us to reach out and include them in our lives.

The happiest people, no matter where in the world they live, are those who lose themselves serving others, while the most miserable people in the world are those obsessed with helping themselves.

———————-//——————–

John 12: 24 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. “

This is a very baffling statement unless you know something about plant biology.

Every seed that is ever planted in the ground goes through a special experience very like a ritual sacrifice. First the seed’s physical composition changes. As it begins to sprout, the seed becomes itself a food source for the emerging sprout. The tender sprout is totally dependent on the seed to sustain it until it can develop its own independent root system. By the time the sprout has become a little plant with independent roots, it has used up every last bit of resources the seed contained. And the seed has died. This is the sacrifice demanded of the seed if it is going to produce a new plant. If the seed is not prepared to die, it must then live alone, because there is no other way to produce another like unto it. The sacrifice of one seed, brings to life many seeds which in turn yields many thousands more that bear the same future responsibility.

You can perhaps anticipate where Christ was going with this analogy. He was referring to the sacrifice he himself was about to make: He offered his life so that we may live.

If he did not die, we would not have eternal life. He would not have fulfilled the measure of his own creation and we would all be doomed to remain physically and spiritually dead forever,

We know he fulfilled all that The Father required of him. His offering was enough and it was accepted.

If Christ gave the ultimate offering so that we could have life, what is required of us in return? Surely we also, must be required to make an offering to fulfill the measure of our creation. What sort of an offering should it be? Perhaps the real question is: “What offering will be enough?” 

———————-//——————–

Years ago I met a man and his wife in Montreal. They had a beautiful and talented daughter who went away to university in Utah to complete her education. While there she met a young man from her hometown. He offered to give her a ride. Unfortunately, his careless driving caused an accident in which she was killed and he was badly injured.

Her grieving parents went to Utah to make arrangements to have her body returned to Montreal. While there, they learned the young man was still in intensive care. They could have just ignored the situation. Or they might have visited him to vent their grief and anger. After all, it was his fault that their daughter was gone.

They did neither.

Instead, when they found out that the young man had no family, no insurance and no money, these parents paid his outstanding bill, and brought him back home with them. 

For months they bathed his wounds and changed his bandages. They fed him and encouraged him through his guilt and grief, while still suffering from their own. After almost a year, they discovered the service they so humbly offered to this boy, had healed their hearts in the process. They had laid their offering on the alter and it had been sufficient. 

———————-//——————–

Each of us has a mission or purpose. It absolutely involves service. We may not discover what it is until we are deeply involved in it. Our offering will be enough when, by our nature and our faith, we rise to fulfill that presented need. 

If we serve where ever and whenever we are called, spontaneously, eagerly and with joy, then surely it will become part of our nature to do so always. Then we will have become what he wanted us to be.

The hymn suggests:

“It may not be on the mountain height
Or over the stormy sea,
It may not be at the battle’s front
My Lord will have need of me.
But if, by a still, small voice he calls
To paths that I do not know,
I’ll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in thine:
I’ll go where you want me to go.”

(Text: Mary Brown, 1856–1918)

May I add…

I’ll do what you want me to do,  dear Lord,
Whatever may be your request.
I’ll serve with my heart and my soul ’till you say,
“My Child, enter in to my rest.”

Our offering becomes enough when we give all we have.

-Doug Garrett

The Major Difference: The Plan of Salvation

The major difference between what we teach (in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) and what is taught in other Christian churches is The Plan of Salvation.

There are 3 pillars upon which The Plan of Salvation stands:

1. The Creation of the Earth
This pillar has to do with the purpose and reason for man’s existence, his relationship to God as his Father, and the reason for his trials and temptations.

2. The Fall 
No one fully understands why we need Christ until they understand the effects the fall of Adam had upon mankind. This is known as spiritual death.

3. The Redemption
Without the atonement of Christ there is no way we, as fallen spirits in a fallen world, could by ourselves return unto the presence of God The Father.

Before the knowledge of The Plan of Salvation was restored, there was confusion between the roles of Grace (what Christ has done for our salvation) and Works (what we must do for our own salvation).

Once this plan is understood, the power of salvation can become a powerful force for changing our behaviour and motivating us to help ourselves by helping others to become more perfect.

The Lord taught… “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” Matthew 13: 45-46

The rich young man asked the Saviour what he must yet do to gain eternal life...
“…sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.” Luke 18: 22 

King Lamoni’s Father implored…
“What shall I do that I may have this Eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Behold, I will give up all that I possess, yea I will forsake my Kingdom that I may receive this great joy.” Alma 22: 15 

The king was not asked to do that. He was only asked to change  and become a new man (repent), covenant with God (baptism)  and receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost (learn about God and be obedient to his commands).

What must I do to have eternal life? (Luke 18: 18)

That question is asked again and again in the scriptures, and each time it is answered in a different way depending on the individual.

The scriptures should be likened unto ourselves. That query is like a self-direction/correction question. We should be asking it often, especially as regarding our:

1. Understanding of the gospel.
2. Social standing among our fellowmen.
3. Spiritual standing in the Kingdom of God.
4. Willingness to have love and compassion.
5. Willingness to serve, or give, all we have to God.

The personal answer will change from time to time, according to our changing circumstances. But there is wisdom in asking oneself that question — and asking it frequently.

If we do so, it will become the major difference in our lives too. The question will become a course-correcting compass guiding us back, step by step, to our home with Our Heavenly Father.

-Doug Garrett