What Shall We Give?

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Half of something

My wife bought me the Sunshine on Leith album by The Proclaimers for me recently. I love it! I remember around five years ago, I came home. Stephanie was gone for some reason. I put this cassette in and danced to it with the kids for at least an hour. It was one of those moments that you don't forget. How happy I was to be with my kids and the joy of dance and music.

On the way to work I was listening again. One line from the "Then I Met You" track is,

Thought that I was whole instead of being half of something

My dear wife is so strong, so persistent. She works hard and then keeps on giving. She is passionate. One recent example is the fortieth wedding anniversary she helped to organize for her parents. She gave it her all. I tell you what, I am so glad to have all of her back again. Her parents are worth it. It was only a limited time. I did miss her.

I think of this scripture when I think of my sweetheart,

...I salute you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, in token or remembrance of the everlasting covenant, in which covenant I receive you to fellowship, in a determination that is fixed, immovable, and unchangeable, to be your friend and brother through the grace of God in the bonds of love, to walk in all the commandments of God blameless, in thanksgiving, forever and ever. Amen. D&C 88:133

I am so grateful to have her. She is my better half. With her I am complete. As we continue to keep our covenants with God, we will become whole. We will fill the measure of our creation. Having her at my side gives me added confidence that I will continue in the path of God. She is a gift.

The Lord does not expect that we do what we cannot achieve. The command to become perfect, as He is, encourages us to achieve the best of ourselves, to discover and develop the talents and attributes with which we are blessed by a loving Eternal Father, who invites us to realize our potential as children of God. He knows us; He knows of our capacities and our limitations. The invitation and challenge to become perfect, to achieve eternal life is for all mankind.

Immediately after teaching that “it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength,” King Benjamin indicated that “it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize." God will not require more than the best we can give because that would not be just, but neither can He accept less than that because that would not be just either. Therefore, let us always give the best we can in the service of God and our fellowmen. Let us serve in our families and in our callings in the Church in the best manner possible. Let us do the best we can and each day be a little better. (Jorge F. Zeballos, “Attempting the Impossible,” Ensign, Nov 2009, 33–34, [Emphasis is mine])

I am grateful to have such a devoted, loving and kind wife as my partner in creating heaven on earth.

"Beware of False Prophets and False Teachers"

I read a great post at Scriptorium Blogorium about a Oct 1999 General Conference Talk by M. Russell Ballard called "Beware of False Prophets and False Teachers".

I used the Mini-Stream Ripper to convert the asx file to an mp3. I look forward to listening to it again.

What is your most compelling reason for believing in God?

A post at ldstalk.wordpress.com prompted the following comment from me.

The most compelling reason I have for believing in God is the fruit of God I see in people around me. I start with my mom and dad. They are not perfect but they are faithful and happy and contented and busy. I see what being at work for God has done for them and I want the same for myself. I recall several other that I have gotten to know well enough to prove that their life is not just superficial happiness. I have seen hearts change and forgiveness bringing peace. I remember every day kind of people doing simple things that bring joy into their life and those they serve.

To be honest, I also can remember a couple of atheists that fit quite well into this description. I am satisfied that if they truly are being honest in their heart, they will be where any faithful believer is.

Another scripture comes to mind, "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." John 7:17 When I have exercised my faith by doing what I know to be true, I feel the fruits of God in me. I have a clarity of mind. I feel good and right. It is when I am most obedient that I am most confident in God and His plan.

Hide Footnote Indicators on Scriptures.lds.org

I while ago I found the "Hide footnote indicators" option on scriptures.lds.org. It hides the footnote indicators within the text of the scriptures so that I can copy them without removing them myself. You get to it from the "options" in the upper right of the page. It is quite useful.

Paradox of Choice and Delighting in Fatness

A few days ago, a friend recommended that I watch Barry Schwartz on the paradox of choice.

I remember hearing his story of being less satisfied with his purchase of jeans today than years ago when there was only one kind of jeans. In his experience, he ended up with a pair of jeans that fit far better than when there was only one kind. He was disappointed because he had concluded (I think unconsciously) that because there were so many choices there must have been one that fit perfectly. When he noticed something not perfect about the new pair, it was easy to think that he chose the wrong one.

He started his talk with a dogma of western civilization. It goes like this
- We should maximize welfare
- This means maximize freedom
- This means maximize choice
- More choice means more freedom
- More freedom means more welfare

Here are some more of some notes I took:

The secret to happiness is low expectations

Why Choice Makes People Miserable
1. Regret and anticipated regret
2. Opportunity Costs
3. Escalation of expectations
4. Self blame

We do better and feel worse

He concludes that income redistribution will make everyone better off because those that have too much choice will give more choice to those who have too little.

His perspective was very enlightening. I agree that I can easily slip into unhappiness by not being conscious of the choices I make. I do not, however, agree with his redistribution conclusion. I do think we are happier when we are charitable and give voluntarily of what we have been blessed with. "capitalism is the least worst system available to us — until Zion can be achieved" (Geoff B.)

If I allow myself to be consumed with these kinds of consumer-centric choice I will lead an unsatisfying life. This reminds me of what Nephi said,

Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness. (2 Ne 9:51)

Yesterday, my elder's quorum president gave a lesson on submitting our will to our Heavenly Father. He recently got a puppy, a mix between a lab and a pit bull. He has watched the Dog Whisperer. Following the teachings of that show, he recently held the dog down with his hand after it was trying to nip at his children. He gently but firmly held the dog to the floor with his hand. He had to hold it there for about five minutes until the dog finally relaxed and submitted.

His wife asked him if he was just breaking the spirit of the dog. I don't think he was. I have seen the show. It is a little disconcerting to watch him or the owners hold their dogs down like that. Yet this is what will bring the dog happiness. Dogs are happiest when they are submissive. They just need to be shown true leadership in a way dogs understand. Then they are so happy and they willingly live by the rules of the house.

The Lord is wise to allow me to work out my destiny here on earth outside of His presence. If I tried to get comfortable choosing the right in His house, I would need swift and perhaps final judgment on my behavior. Instead He planned a way for me to work out my salvation. Adam fell so that evil came into our world. Jesus came and provided for every good thing. So I find myself in this world where I learn very well between good and evil. The Lord is gratefully not present while I figure this out. When I choose badly, I experience pain and emptiness. Hopefully I learn and choose better. I feel the freedom that comes from entering into a covenant relationship with God. That I really can be forgiven. That I really can have another chance. I can choose to come closer to Father in Heaven. I can draw closer by obeying the Light the Lord shows me.

I am not talking about choosing a pair of jeans that fits, but following that voice that says, "why don't you get up and let Steph sleep this morning". Or the many many other messages about living according to the truth I know. This kind of choice is necessary and much more satisfying that mere consumer decisions. Real joy comes from submitting my will to that of my Heavenly Father.