scripture mastery hypocrisy!

In teaching seminary, I ask my students to master a set of verses from our course of study each year. This year is the new testament. As with most years, there are 25 "scripture mastery" verses.

In class, I teach that I don't worry about whether they are memorized, verbatim, but rather than the concepts are understood, they can explain them clearly, and can quote them "close enough".

In the interest of testing myself (so I'm not asking things of my students that I don't know well), I went to http://seminary.lds.org/scripture-mastery/, and hit the link for memorization. I then quizzed myself by seeing if I could type all 25 verses accurately, without help. I'm proud to report I was able to do 18 of the 25 exactly, and another 3 with only a minor miss on a phrase. So 21 of 25 to an acceptable level. The other four I'm able to teach, explain, and quote the bulk of, so there's not much work left to do on them.

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In other news, I'm trying to get my check engine light fixed, finally. It's a minor problem, but I'm annoyed enough with it finally to do something about it.

odds and ends of life

I've been reading in first Nephi, trying to catch up to the three month read the Book of Mormon schedule on the I have a testimony blog. I've seen several things that are worth observing, but my most prominent feeling so far is that of identification with Laman and Lemuel. That's not something I thought I would say. :)

The feeling I have is that Laman and Lemuel weren't setting out to be "bad" people. Rather, they chose not to pursue the things of God, despite being exposed to that influence repeatedly and deeply. Not unlike those who grow up in the church, but because they rarely dig in and search, wind up not understanding their own upbringing and being even more hardened because of it. A deep understanding of the gospel is paramount to our ability to live it well when faced with adversity.

When I choose, it should be with real input from God via personal revelation rather than his presumed approval because I'm "good people, and surely God will bless me." If I don't understand his course, I'm less likely to follow it because I've only done my good, not his best.

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Took a little time off this week over Spring Break. Played some golf (well, even), tried to hang out with the wife and children. I don't do that very well, sometimes. :( It really is an adjustment some days to go from work to time with family - the conversations are loud (as kids do), there's awkwardness in regaining familiarity, and it upsets the daily routine to have dad around during the day. All in all, it didn't go as well as I'd hoped. I was still glad to have tried - but I sometimes feel like a stranger in my own home. It takes a 2-3 days for me to get used to being there, and for them to start to cling to me like they do momma.

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I carded an eagle on one of the par fives on Wednesday. 535 yards, went driver, 215 left for a seven wood, and one putt from 15 feet.

Next hole was a 185 yard par three. Ran a four hybrid over the hole to eight feet, just missing (yet again) a hole in one. The number of near misses I've had is staggering - half a dozen have finished inside six inches. Another dozen or so have run across the hole or lipped off to less than five feet. So that one didn't even qualify as close, really. :\

Shot 76 on the day.

two good things

I ran across two good things today:

First:

"If each and every one of us who are parents will reflect upon the responsibilities devolving upon us, we shall come to the conclusion that we should never permit ourselves to do anything that we are not willing to see our children do. We should set them an example that we wish them to imitate."
--Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses, 14:192.)

Second:

From here: http://i-have-a-testimony.blogspot.com/2009/03/inquire-and-youll-understand.html.

This morning we read 1Nephi 15. I started giggling after reading verse 3. Why? Well, I'll tell you.

I was just remembering every Sunday School or Relief Society lesson I've ever been in where Isaiah is mentioned. As soon as that great prophet's name is mentioned a few audible moans are heard, followed by grumblings and sometimes murmurings. Isaiah has been a stumbling block for many a Latter-day Saint. I've even heard some people admit that, when reading the Book of Mormon, they skip 2 Nephi just to avoid reading Isaiah.

Personally, I have always loved Isaiah. I had a wonderful seminary teacher, Brother K. Herbst, who, with a few small details, opened a greater understanding of Isaiah in my mind. I think I was also blessed with the gift of understanding in regards to the scriptures. Either way, I love Isaiah. But back to my giggling...

I started giggling because there, in 1 Nephi 15: 3, the chapters preceding Isaiah, Nephi tells us how to understand difficult things. He lays the path before us very simply and in a Very straightforward manner. But I hadn't really noticed it before. Not in this context.

The verse: "For he truly spake many great things unto them, which were hard to be understood, save a man should inquire of the Lord; and they being hard in their hearts, therefore they did not look unto the Lord as they ought."

I giggled because the answer to understanding Isaiah is simple. "Inquire of the Lord."

I giggled because the same people who moaned about Isaiah were the same people who, upon reading 1 Nephi chapter 15, condemned Laman and Lemuel for not asking the Lord.

There are many things within the scriptures that can be hard to understand. But I know that if we ask the Lord, He will help us. He did not want us to be lost and wandering. The whole point of the scriptures is to clearly point the way back to our Father in Heaven. And fortunately for us, our God is not a tricky and sneaky God. No. He is a loving and kind God who had set the path before us. The path is strait and narrow, but not impassable. Inquire of the Lord and you will find the way.

dad, the accidental hero

Dad turned 70 years old this past weekend. Happy birthday!

My dad has helped shape who I am. Few things or people have had as great an influence on me, and so I am very grateful for a loving father who has continually taught me well and lived as he taught.

I have not had the good fortune to see my parents sealed in the temple as yet - I still hope that day will come. However, I have had no lack for righteous example, either growing up in their home or at the present day. Mom has long described dad as a "gentle man", and that title could not be more fitting. My dad defines what it means to be a gentleman to me. He has been my hero for many years. He might say that his life just unfolded that way, but I know that he is not who he is by a series of lucky mistakes and pleasant happenings. He has lived a great life, has overcome much, and been a blessing to his posterity.

A related quote, on the topic of fatherhood:

"I remind you brethren who bear the Melchizedek Priesthood that the seed of the present is the harvest of the future. I urge you, as fathers and as priesthood leaders, to focus more attention on teaching, guiding, and shepherding these young men, especially by example. The Lord has given you that obligation. Remember, the lambs have little chance of following the right path if the shepherd goes astray." (emphasis mine) --Joseph B. Wirthlin, 1988 Fall Conference, "The Priesthood of God"

georgia on my mind

A couple of pictures from the trip to Georgia. The course we played was The Frog, just west of Atlanta. Took awhile to get there by car, but it was well worth the trip.

Naturally we did things other than golf as well. I'll add a handful of other photos later. Was well worth the trip, and it was good to see Clay and Sarah and their children. Turned out to be cheap for cost as well, which is a bonus.

On arriving home and getting up the next morning, Apple ate breakfast with me and we watched part of a movie snuggled up on the couch together. She's been fighting a cold since the day I left. It was good to see the children and my wife again.

odds and ends

Two days until the trip to Georgia with friends. I'm excited, probably a little too much so.

Read a good quote this weekend - first heard it in church on Sunday.

Boyd K. Packer, Conference Report 1991
"Inspiration comes more easily in peaceful settings. Such words as quiet, still, peaceable, Comforter abound in the scriptures...

"The world grows increasingly noisy. Clothing and grooming and conduct are looser and sloppier and more disheveled. Raucous music, with obscene lyrics blasted through amplifiers while lights flash psychedelic colors, characterizes the drug culture. Variations of these things are gaining wide acceptance and influence over our youth...

"This trend to more noise, more excitement, more contention, less restraint, less dignity, less formality is not coincidental nor innocent nor harmless.

"The first order issued by a commander mounting a military invasion is the jamming of the channels of communication of those he intends to conquer.

"Irreverence suits the purposes of the adversary by obstructing the delicate channels of revelation in both mind and spirit." (emphasis mine)
---

It is important to remember that the Lord controls revelation, how it will be given, to whom, and to what level. Most often, he chooses to work in small, quiet ways. If we are not tuned in to those ways, or are drowning them out with louder activities, we will be less likely to receive personal revelation.

1 Timothy 4:15
"Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them;..."

I'm not suggesting "meditation" after the new age sense that we use it today, with yoga mats or scented candles or whatever. Only that time be taken using whatever means brings you closer to God, in quiet ways, that allows your thoughts to be whispered to for inspiration. If that includes yoga mats and candles, that's okay too. :)

seeking questions

Youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtweZxNGk1Y

Nick Vujicic is an Australian without arms and without legs. Not with non-functioning limbs, but without limbs entirely.

One of my most vivid memories as a small child (not more than ten, because I remember we lived in Tahlequah when the event happened) was seeing a man without one arm (just a "flipper") play pool. We were at a party. A really crowded party. And I was amazed by this man, just transfixed, watching him balance the pool cue between his flipper shoulder and his chin, whilst shooting with his good arm. He was the best pool player I'd ever seen. Not saying much, cause I wasn't exactly a pool hall regular. But still, he was the first evidence I'd seen of a man overcoming something quite that big.

So here's Nick. He has no arms. He has no legs. Just a little flipper below one hip. And yeah, he can do cool physical stuff despite his limitations. Turns on lights with the aid of a putter. Goes swimming. Climbs stairs. But I'm not eight years old anymore. I've seen a one armed man play pool. I'm all jaded and worldly now. :) But Nick does something I haven't seen...not in many able bodied men, even. Nick freely bears testimony. Nick has an obvious love for his fellow man, for God who allowed his mortal life to be physically limited this way. Look at his face, and see a man at peace despite his nothingness before the world.

There are many excellent lessons to take from his testimony. I've heard new things with each listening. Among those things though, is that the seeking questions of his heart led him to God.

"What kind of hope and future can I have?
How can I hold my wife's hand?
How can I dance with my bride on our wedding night?
How will I be able to hold my children when they're crying?"

Those are seeking questions. They are not accusatory. They are not filled with blame. He had moved past his eight year old self, too - if God would not heal him, he would accept that. Not without a fight, I'm sure. He moved to the solving of the problems his condition presented. His first questions were seeking questions. How will the Lord do this? How will he accomplish his work with me? How will he keep and prosper me?

Clearly, those answers bring him peace. They lead him to proclaim despite his condition and despite no physical healing, "I stand before you today as a miracle of God."

Not because his life is different. He still only has a little flipper.

Not because God healed him when he was eight. This is no mere physical miracle.

Rather, because "circumstances do not need to change...its our heart that needs to be filled with the Holy Spirit." With love. With understanding, gained spiritually, of the plans God has for him and that they will come to pass.

The uncertainties of how, and what, have been replaced with the certainties of IS. WILL BE. AM. Each is reflected in his language.

True, earnest, seeking questions directed to God are what brought him there.

I saw another quote, this time on the ABC 20/20 website from an interview he granted with them last year. From ABC: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=4531209

"The unanswered prayers he made as a child haven't left his mind, nor has he stopped praying occasionally for arms and legs.

'I totally surrender [the healing miracle] to God. I would be obviously elated if I had arms and legs right now ... but I know that God's in full control. And do I believe that He can give me arms and legs? Yes, sir ... The world doesn't understand how you can have these two parallel thoughts, where you can say, on one hand ... 'yes, I believe in the miracle,' and on the other ... say, 'You know what? I'm fully content. I'm not discouraged if He doesn't give me arms and legs.''

'That's where I am. That's the freedom and victory I have. I believe in a God who can do all things, but if He chooses not to give me arms and legs, I know it's for the better. And I may not understand it, but all I need to know is that He's going to carry me through, that there is a purpose for it.'"

Fits very nicely with the teachings of Christ.