For a wise purpose in him, which I know not

For the lord has commanded me to ... For a wise purpose in him, which purpose I know not. But the lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. -1 nephi 9:6

The lord often answers our prayers by telling us to do something. Sometimes we are then told to do something else that either seems contradictory, redundant, or impossible to accomplish both commands. But as nephi says he will make it possible if we have faith and go and do what he says.

We may never find out why he told us to do something. Nephi never knew that a guy named Martin Harris would lose the manuscript. He only knew that he was told to make two plates even though his dad already had this record. It probably wasn't easy to find and refine gold as he was travelling (assuming that's when he wrote it) but aren't we glad he did write; otherwise we would only have the book of Mormon starting in mosiah 400 years after nephi wrote.

Obey god, even when you don't know why or if it's possible, he will prepare a way for you. As nephi says "and thus it is. Amen." that's how it is folks whether you like it or not.

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Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.

I am often told that my church, which I believe receives direction from God, asks a lot from its members. For example, we are asked to pay ten percent of our income as tithing. We are asked to attend three hours of church each Sunday. We are asked to not go shopping on Sundays. We are asked to not consume alcohol, coffee, tea, or tobacco. Some things may even seem very trivial. For example, we have been instructed to refrain from getting tatoos and excessive earings (women may have one pair; men none).

While these may seem trivial with apparently no logic or reason to the commandments, an example from exodus illustrates why the lord may ask such trivial things. The isrealites had just left Egypt only to discover that they have no food. They complain to moses who in turn complains to the lord. The lord responds with the following:

Exodus 16 Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.
When some of the people fail to follow the the commandment and gather more food than their family can eat, they discover that the food spoils and gets worms. This wasn't stated in the commandment. He does not tell them that if they gather more than they are told to that it will spoil. They are only told what to do not why.

So it is with us. Most of these commandments come with blessings, but most do not explain the consequence or the reason associated with not keeping the commandment. Some members have tried applying their own reason. That's why you have some members who say caffeine is against the word of wisdom-coffee and tea both have caffeine so caffeine must be harmful. But that is not the lord has said. What the lord says is do this so that I can see if you will walk in my laws or not. He didn't tell Abraham that he wouldn't make him sacrifice his son until after he knew that Abraham would keep his commandments to the end no matter how hard or how trivial.




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Doors Unopened

Standing in a room full of doors
Each one changing my direction
There is no returning once entered
Doors Doors Doors all unopened

A friend visited me in my room full of doors
We once stood in this room together
He told me of exciting things beyond the door
Doors Doors Doors all unopened

Then another friend appeared
He told me of exciting things beyond his door
There is no returning once entered
Doors Doors Doors all unopened

I yearned to follow them both
Into their doors of adventure, weath, fame
There is no returning once entered
Doors Doors Doors all unopened

Years have passed in my room full of doors
I see my friends no more beyond their doors
There is no returning once entered
Doors Doors Doors all unopened

Standing in a room full of doors
Each one changing my direction
There is no returning once not entered
Doors Doors Doors all unopened

Mark of the beast

Just been reading revelations. I've heard a lot of speculations about the following verse "no man might buy or sell save he that had the mark or the name of the beast or the number of his name...which is 666"

I've heard assumptions like a barcode that is to be implanted in your forehead. I want to add my own theory tonight. I think the number is your credit score.

If you don't have any credit you literally can't buy or sell anything these days. Although the number is figurative, isn't an ok score 600 at least based off of some indexes. As for the forehead thing, what happens when you get in debt, have crappy credit, or have no credit especially in a down economy? You constantly worry about how you are going to provide for yourself and (supposing you haven't succomed to the selfishness of our nation) your family. That number is burned into your forehead as you contemplate how to improve the score or how to keep the score up.



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The parable of the Hammer and the Pencil

It's not a poem, but I just thought of a short little parable that can go with Romans 9:20 (there's a counterpart in Isaiah, but I didn't look it up).

There once was a carpenter that was building a house. He loved his hammer. It was strong, durable, and helped him in so many ways. One day, the hammer was heard to boast, "I am the practically the only tool the carpenter needs. All those other tools are nothing compared to me. Although, I wish some of those tools would help out a little. I have to do all of the work. "

Suddenly the builder placed the hammer back in the toolbox. "What are you doing?" the hammer cried out. "We're not done with this house yet. You can't put me away.

"I am giving you a rest," the carpenter said compassionately, "I need a different tool. Now let me consider for a moment." At that, the carpenter closed the toolbox.

"But I'm the only tool capable of doing all the jobs. Why did he put me away." The hammer continued to moan to himself.

While the hammer was moaning to himself, he didn't notice a tiny pencil was also moaning to herself quietly. "I'm so useless. Why does the carpenter even keep me in this toolbox with so many wonderful tools. There's the saw, with his giant teeth for cutting. There's that new electric drill, with all of that power. Even the nails, which are smaller, are useful when used together. And of course there's the hammer; he can do anything."

With a flash of light, the toolbox lid flung open. "Let me see, where are you?" the carpenter said as he searched inside the toolbox. "Ah, there you are," he said as he pulled out the tiny pencil.

"What are you doing?" the pencil nervously asked. "I can't help you. I'm not good at anything."

"Oh, yes you are. Just watch." At that the carpenter pulled out the measuring tape and closed.

"Hey, what about me," the hammer said as the lid closed. But the carpenter didn't respond.

The carpenter set a board on top of a pile of wood. Then, he extended the measuring tape, which seemed to wink knowingly at the pencil. "Yes, I think that will be perfect," the carpenter said. And he used the pencil to draw a line on the board.

Roamsn 9:20 "Shall the thing formed say to Him that formed it, 'why has thou made me thus?"

Fathers from the Scriptures

As I think about Father's Day, I'm reminded of the all of the great fathers that are found in the scriptures. I was actually thinking about creating a longer blog on this, but then I heard an ad for a book called, "Men of Influence." I haven't read it, but it sounded like the author stole my idea. I might still write something more-in-depth though. Here are some of my favorite Fathers in the scriptures and what I learn from them:

Abraham: Trust your children to the Lord
Isaac: Find out the hearts of your children from your wife.
Jacob: Leave your In-laws for your family's sake. Don't pick favorites. Give your children and grandchildren blessings.
Saul: Look to the example of your righteous children and listen to them.

Lehi: Take your family where the Lord wants you to take them despite the family protests. Counsel each child according to their needs with love. At first they were subtle reminders. On his death bed it was, "Awake from the sleep of hell. Rise up and be men."
Nephi: Father of a nation-weeps for his people. Does our current father of the nation do that (I doubt it, maybe if his ratings go down).
Jacob: Teach your children in their youth and it will come back to them at unexpected times.
Benjamin: Teach and testify of the scriptures. Teach service by example.
Mosiah: Let your children go and they will be protected.
Alma the Elder: Pray and fast for your children. Teach your children despite their unwillingness.
Alma the younger: Take your children with you on mission (church duties) when appropriate. Counsel with them indivually based on their needs. Testify and tell them of your spiritual experiences.
Helaman I: Adopts 2,000 sons that he leads into war. Asks them for their advice before he proceeds.
Helaman II: Honor your name (surname, given name, or Christ's name). Remember what your ancestors went through and taught.
Mormon: Write to your children. Keep a record for your children. Correct incorrect doctrine or traditions even if it's not the popular thing to do. Another father of the nation who cares deeply about his people.

Well these are a few of my favorite father and son relationships in the scriptures. Unfortunately, I can't think of many examples from the Bible. It seems like of the Old Testament is about bad father examples. What are some of your favorite father examples from the scriptures? If you can't think of anyone from the scriptures, what are some prominent father figures that teach great lessons found in literature (or I'll even go with movies)? For example, one of my favorites is Atticus from "To Kill a Mocking Bird." Another is Jean Valjean from "Les Miserables."

Such as I Have Give I Thee

During this precarious economic time, money is an endangered species, perhaps extinct for some. I've read Acts 3 several times. Catie loves to sing the song, "Peter and John went to pray . . . Silver and Gold have I none, but such as I have give I thee. . . And he went walking and leaping and praising God." Anyway it's something along those lines. I've always focused on what Peter and John gave the beggar.

Today, my focus is more on what Peter and John gave. I know I've walked into temple square, especially during Christmas time, with my head down hoping that I won't be asked for any spare change. Most of the time when I've been asked, I reply that I don't have anything. A few times I've given a nickle or quarter or whatever is in my pocket. How does that compare with what this beggar received from Peter and John. Not only does he now have a chance to make an honest living, but he enters the temple and receives the warmth it offers him.

Catie told me the other day that one of the things she hates most is when she has the means to help someone, but she can't help them because they won't accept it. She proceeded to explain that she feels bad when she sees someone in trouble, but she doesn't have the means to help, but not as bad as when she has the means and they won't accept help. After reflecting on this scripture, I wonder how often we really don't have the means to help people. Obviously, we don't have the monetary means to help. As I explained in an earlier post, we've gotten ourselves in a bit of a financial bind by trying to help when we didn't have the means. But, can we still give such as we have?

One example Catie gave of someone she couldn't help is a car that is broken down. She is not a mechanic and usually, they already have a cell phone out. However, is there something that she could give? Perhaps some encouragement through some friendly conversation while they wait for some additional help? What about those beggars in front of temple square? We could follow the example of Peter and John and bring them into the temple (figuratively speaking); however, if they are sitting outside temple square I'm guessing that they already know about the church. Again, we may not be able to give them money, but is there something we can give that will lighten their load. Sometimes all it takes is a friendly conversation to let people know they are important if that's all we have.

I know this is something I need to work on, but these are my thoughts on the phrase, "Such as I have give I thee."

As a side note, it's interesting that just two chapters later, Luke tells us of Ananias and Sapphira who sell their land to give the money to the church, but keep a portion of the money for themselves. When Peter questions them about it, they lie and then lie dead. This makes an interesting juxtaposition when you consider Peter and John who give such as they have to a lame beggar, but these people who attempt to serve the All-powerful God can only give a portion of what they have.