Decreasing

It’s the beginning of a missionary discussion and the investigator asks a golden question: Art thou sent from God? I don’t know how he withstood the temptation to shout out Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life. But he avoids that attention. Instead, he entirely deflects the question, de-emphasizing his special role as an ordained minister of Christ and discussing their common human experience of learning and doing God’s will. Christ similarly deflects attention garnered by miraculous healings, focusing attention on the healed rather than Himself as the Healer: Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole.

He must increase, but I must decrease.

Eating and Salvation

It starts in the Garden of Eden: I began in a similar state of innocence. And at some point, I decided to exercise autonomy to seek happiness separate from God’s happiness, as Adam did. I partook of my own Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil in this way, determined to learn for myself. When I come to myself, I realize God’s happiness is the only true happiness, and must be restored from rebellion (evil) to willful submission (good) before partaking of the Tree of Life. In this probationary interim, I am given a new food: a paschal lamb reappointed in communion, symbols of Living Bread and Living Waters, bread crumbs leading back to Heaven.

In this way, I taste and know of the goodness of Jesus, in preparation for partaking of the Tree of Life, which is most precious, sweet above all that is sweet, and pure above all that is pure; whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine. And ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst. Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

Halloween Scriptures

Inspired by the way that Reformist Martyrs made the Bible the most interesting of books, I read my children a Halloween story from the New Testament.

It’s about a man who lives alone in a graveyard, howling day and night, and walking about with broken chains dangling from cut, scarred, and bleeding arms and legs: more frightening than Jacob Marley because he is alive.

Jesus and disciples arrive by boat and this almost-zombie comes running desperately at Jesus shouting “Leave me alone!” And although there were probably disciples with Him who would have liked nothing more, Jesus looks at this man’s heart and moves to heal his tormented existence without introduction or flinching. In a bargain, Christ exchanges a herd of swine for this single man’s sanity: only to be rebuked by townspeople, who preferred the pigs.

Christ challenges me similarly: what am I willing to give up to let a brother come back? Pristine scent in Sunday meetings? Easy home teaching to active members? Minimal weight of church service? Lectures on the mysteries of God rather than statements of well-worn gospel truths? Recognition for serving a full-time mission and marrying in the temple? Am I willing to stand with the prodigal and be counted one of them, a beggar invited to the Lord’s table?

Like the prodigal’s brother, I must vigilantly defend myself from that which I may prefer to a returned prodigal, or be eaten by jealousy as Christ pours out His abundance in celebration.

Balance

The Lord balances honesty with privacy: He always says the truth, but there are some things—notably weaknesses—that He withholds to protect His children from being overwhelmed.

Atonement

The nearer we get to our heavenly Father, the more we are disposed to look with compassion on perishing souls; we feel that we want to take them upon our shoulders, and cast their sins behind our backs. --Joseph Smith

Smoke

That which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually.

God hath created all things, both things to act and things to be acted upon.

God gave unto man that he should act.

Maybe part of that action is deciding that things will remind, invite, and entice me to do good.

When I see a cigarette, I usually frown judgmentally, berate the person mentally, and prepare to hold my breath as I pass. But smoke is also used in the scriptures to represent the prayers of the people ascending to heaven. By deciding to think/act with this as my motivation, I can confess His hand in all things, and reach out in charity rather than condemnation.

For with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

Word of Wisdom

Inasmuch as any man drinketh wine among you, behold it is not good, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him.

And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies. (D&C 89: 5,7)

Both “washing of your bodies” and “offer up your sacraments” are ordinances. 

This is a call to consecration, not just to prohibition; commitment to expend goods in bringing others to God rather than in self-indulgence.