A Mighty Change of Heart

All three speakers in church  today taught about reverence.  It's a theme that the bishop has addressed more than once recently.  The talks were very much of an instructive nature, with particular direction given, such as statements that we should arrive early to our meetings and not carry on casual conversation in the chapel.  In other words, we were told to do something because we (as a whole) need to change what we are doing.

Without a doubt, the following are true:
Only some who heard were really listening.
Only some who really listened identified themselves as needing to change.
Only some who knew they needed to change made a determination to take specific action to cause that change.

I taught the teachers today about the change of heart we need to experience as we give Jesus Christ's Atonement power in our lives.  We read scriptures that taught us that we must have "a broken heart and a contrite spirit" (2 Nephi 2:7), "godly sorrow [that] worketh repentance to salvation" (2 Corinthians 7:10), and "a mighty change in[...]our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually." (Mosiah 5:2)  Though I don't claim to have experienced this entirely, I have felt the power of the Christ's Atonement in my life as it has changed my disposition to no longer desire things I used to desire, and it's wonderful.  I intend to keep pursuing that change.

It seems to me (though I don't want to misjudge anyone) that many people enter into patterns of living that are comfortable to them and then don't take action to change in any way.  I cannot accept such a thing in my life; I know that I need to change because I'm imperfect and I need to repent.  That's a very broad statement, but I do hear specific words from church leaders or church members, and I feel specific guidance from the Holy Ghost, that make it clear that I need to do something I'm not already doing, start doing something that I'm not doing, or do something differently.  I'd better be changing; if I'm not changing, I'm not progressing--I'm not learning!

Sometimes it's hard to hear that what we're doing is wrong.  Sometimes it's actually very hard to hear that the way we do things somehow *isn't* the best way of doing things.  We have to be of a mind to take instruction willingly and give up habits or methods to which we have become attached, thus possessing the so-important "broken heart and a contrite spirit".  We have to give up our desires and our attachments, and that's why we are told multiple times in scripture that a broken heart and a contrite spirit is the type of sacrifice that we need to make.  (Psalms 51:17, 3 Nephi 9:20, Doctrine and Covenants 59:8)  To be willing to make that sacrifice is to be teachable; it's being humble.  Showing that willingness and humility definitely falls into the category of "pursuits that are difficult but worthwhile".

It can be very hard, but it ought to be hard.  Otherwise, it wouldn't be a "mighty" change of heart.

Last thoughts for now:
I'm grateful for God's mercy in teaching me so much in the past and I trust Him to continually direct me in His wisdom.  Sometimes it will be a stinging blow to my pride, but every time He gives me direction I know it will be for my own benefit.  I hope to often make the sacrifice of a broken heart and a contrite spirit.  I believe in learning and growing.  I know that it is only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that we can repent and be like Him.

With Angel Eyes (Fiction)

The following is pure speculative fiction.  I wrote it a while back and figured it would be good to put here, even though the format is entirely different from my normal blog writing.  I don't claim to have had any experience with this sort of thing, but the narrative illustrates some ideas that make sense to me.

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With Angel Eyes

Mason watched people moving to and fro, performing everyday tasks while oblivious to his presence and also to the presence of Grant and the other, more distant disembodied spirits.  “I always assumed that it was like this, but it’s unsettling to realize it, to think back on the many things I did that…well, that I wouldn’t have done if I’d realized how many people could see.”

Grant nodded.  “Of course, whether or not someone can see what we’re doing shouldn’t be our motivation to eschew evil and pursue righteous goals.  It’s actually better for us that we aren’t aware of those who observe our mortal experiences, because it allows us to choose righteousness for the sake of righteousness, or for the sake of our acknowledgement of the Atonement of Christ.  So, the physical limitation, our inability to see things with spiritual eyes, actually helps.

“However, remember that those who can observe you don’t want to revel in your unrighteous choices.  So, while our unrighteous actions are still observable, they are generally less observed.  That same limitation that you’ve been used to also has largely hidden something about your own nature.  Look at these people.  Do you see that some shine brighter than others?”

Mason looked at the people everywhere, and for the first time he paid attention to the way that they glowed.  Indeed, some glowed brightly, while others were dim.  “Yes…why is that?”

“I’m sure you can tell me if you think about it.”

“Well, I always understood that when we were judged, we would have more glory if we were more righteous.”

Grant nodded again, smiling.  “Exactly.  So why would we not also have more glory and brightness before our final judgment?  And let me ask you this: where does the light come from?”

Mason had to think for a moment; Grant let him.  Mason finally replied: “From God.  We shine with the light from God.”

“Right again.  Inasmuch as we allow ourselves to reflect the light of truth from God’s Spirit, His light shines forth from us.  It’s always like that, though to mortal eyes it’s often quite hard to discern.  If you think back, though, I’m sure you can remember times when, for no reason that was evident, someone looked different, brighter in some way, and you could tell that he or she was a faithful disciple of Christ.”

Mason looked again at the people, going about their business in the simple ways he had done so often himself.  “Yes, I do remember times like that.  In fact, after a certain lesson from a seminary teacher I had really hoped to give other people the same impression, or rather, just to shine so that they would want to follow Jesus Christ.”

“Good!  That’s the right idea.”

Mason looked at his own spirit-matter hand.  “I’m relieved to see some light in myself.”

“Surely.  And you can take it as a good sign that you’re here associating with someone else who also bears the light of truth.  But we were speaking, before, about others observing our actions.  Like I said, while our unrighteous acts are observable, they are generally less observed.  When we engage in unrighteous behavior, we inherently shield ourselves from the influence of the Holy Ghost, thus reducing the light around us.”

“So when we’re bad we can’t be seen?”

“No, no, it takes a lot of evil to completely block out the influence of God in our lives, and even then we’re still visible, but it’s more a matter of focus.  Those of us who are observing are naturally inclined to observe those who are shining brightly and turn our attention easily away from darkness.  As a person’s light dims because of wickedness, only their personal angels stay with them to help.  When you sin more seriously and the truth becomes dim around you, only those who really are concerned stay near and watch over you.”

Mason became uncomfortable again.  “So for my bigger mistakes, people were probably still watching.  Maybe someone like my grandpa?”

“Perhaps.”

“I hate that.  I hate knowing that someone else knows what I’ve done.  When it was wrong, I mean.”

“Of course.  Shame is natural and can be very helpful.  Don’t worry about other people knowing, though; it’s better for key individuals to know now than to have your sins proclaimed from the rooftops to the whole world later, and the people who watch over you from above are those who really love you anyway.  They forgive you and still have faith in you.”

Mason lowered his head.  “If I knew, I mean really knew, how things were, I know I wouldn’t have done some of the dumb things that I did.”

“Ah, naturally.  But if we had a full knowledge from the beginning, it wouldn’t be a test, would it?  We wouldn’t really be able to learn and grow.”

“I guess I feel like it would be helpful to have this kind of perspective in order to do the learning.”

“I can see why you’d think so, but if you take a bit of time to observe people you’ll find that simply being told a truth isn’t enough to make it powerful in our lives.  In fact, depending on our dispositions, we can very easily blind ourselves to things that ought to be obvious.  Too much information all at once isn’t helpful either, and while you have some extra perspective here, you’re faced with different limitations.  Consider, for example, sacrifice.  Though it’s an incredibly important principle of the Gospel, it’s quite difficult to practice here.  How do you expect to learn the benefit of fasting and giving of your substance to others, when you don’t have much in the way of substance?  There’s really not much that you can learn here that you can’t learn in a mortal experience, and there, you can actually learn most things more fully than you can here.”

They were both silent for a moment before Grant spoke again.  “Come with me.  I’d like to show you something.”

Grant took his hand and began walking, and Mason felt that they were moving very quickly.  When they were still again, Mason found himself in a place he didn’t recognize.  It was a bustling city.

“Look around,” Grant said, “and tell me who those two people are.”

It didn’t take Mason long at all to identify the two people of whom Grant was speaking, for while the crowd of people all around generally only dimly reflected the light of the Holy Ghost, these two particular souls, well-dressed young men shone with a radiance.  Mason figured that there was a natural explanation for this—two young men, walking together and casting light before them.  “Missionaries,” he said.  “They’ve got to be missionaries.”

“They are indeed.”  Grant acknowledged.  “When it comes to light and shining truth, they’re some of the most satisfying to watch.  When the people they teach listen to the Holy Ghost, the light from the missionaries shines out and brightens them as well.  There are other ways by which a given person’s light quickly increases, but the teaching of missionaries is one of the better ways.”

Mason lifted his head and peered toward them.  “Are we going to see that today?”

“These two are pretty reliable, so I wouldn’t be surprised.”

They observed quietly for a brief while, and it gave Mason time to think.  One idea gently nagged him, though he was reluctant to speak it.  “Grant, you said that people don’t get as much attention from angelic observers when they sin,” (and Grant nodded encouragingly,) “but at other times, you do, ah, give people their privacy, right?  Like newlyweds?”

Grant laughed.  “Yes, of course.  Just as we can quickly turn our attention away from the darkness of sin, we are selective about other things as well.  Sacred events are universally considered to by ‘by invitation only’, and something as immeasurably sacred as the physical intimacy of a husband and wife is no one’s business but their own.  It’s quite instinctive to find another place to be, and surprisingly easy to sense when they no longer require privacy.  We’re neither curious about it nor carnal, so it’s not a concern.”

Mason looked down and raised his eyebrows.  “Huh.  Good.  Well, I’d expect things to make sense like that, but I’m glad to hear it.”

Grant still wore a mild smile.  “Though, to bring perspective, those of us that no longer have bodies also don’t get embarrassed like we used to.”

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Consecration

A few weeks ago, our Gospel Doctrines class was talking about the Law of Consecration. We discussed how people failed to live it before, and how we have tithing and offerings now. Of course, tithing is an eternal principle and has existed from before the time of Abraham, but it is through tithing and offerings that we can be consecrated to God.

And just as we won't suddenly become righteous at the end of our mortal life if we aren't living well already (see Alma 34:34), we won't suddenly be truly consecrated when the Church is called upon to live the Law of Consecration if we aren't already. If we're not paying a full tithe and giving generously through fast offerings, we won't be ready for celestial standards.

Beyond that, consecration is about more than just money. A person who gives great amounts of money in offerings but spends all day doing something like playing video games or watching sports is not consecrated. If I don't share my talents in the service of God or I if I fail to fulfill my Church responsibilities because of personal interests or anything else, I am not consecrated.

Consecrating oneself to God means giving up a lot, but sacrifice is a good thing. In fact it's an amazing and wonderful thing. Heavenly Father always gives us something greater in return. Joseph Smith said, "A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation; for, from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things."

Of course, our greatest example of consecration and sacrifice comes from Jesus Christ. Everything He did was devoted to His father.

Last thoughts for now:
I must yet make significant progress before I am confident in my level of consecration to God. Even not having acheived this goal, I know that consecrated life is what will bring us the greatest happiness.