We are challenged to move through a process of conversion toward that status and condition called eternal life…. Charity is something one becomes. (Dallin H. Oaks, “The Challenge to Become,” Ensign, Nov 2000, 32–34)
Among the songs I enjoy is one by the band, Switchfoot, which asks:
This is your life are you who you want to be?
Note, it is not asking if you have what you want to have, or are surrounded with what you consider ideal circumstances, but "are you who you want to be." Its impact lies in connecting with the eternal truth that we are free to choose what we become. Remember that the word commandment literally means direction. And the first commandment the Lord gave Adam and Eve after they had partaken of the fruit, was to worship Him and obey His commands and love one another. (Moses 4:4, 7:32-33) When the Savior was asked which direction from the Lord was the most critical He said:
Thou shalt love the Lord they God with all they heart, and with all they soul, and with all thy mind….And thou shalt love they neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and prophets. (Matthew 22:37-40)
So, from the beginning all the prophets the Lord has called, all the directions and counsel he has given, is for the purpose of aiding us in our quest to become beings, like Him, who are filled with charity- the pure love of Christ for God and men.
But what if that is not who you want to be? Well, we are free to make that choice, as Cain's story makes clear. Cain's story also vividly illustrates who we are choosing to become, if we follow the same path he did. Above all, the elements of Cain's story restored in the Book of Moses, show the tireless effort on the part of the Lord to teach us, not only about the path He hopes we will take, but about the consequences we choose when we choose other paths.
First a few facts:
Fact 2: Just because Cain was born into a home filled with truth and light, it didn't mean he was forced to follow. Just as we will see that Abraham, Moses and countless other born into times and places where the gospel was either not taught or persecuted, had the choice to act upon the light they received. Cain decided that the path and directions the Lord gave were not worth his time and effort. His word's "Who is the Lord that I should know him?" are full of import. (Moses5:16)
The word "know" as used in the Old Testament never means a casual acquaintance. Its use indicates a real, intimate relationship that takes time and effort. Bottom line- we are finite beings. We can, by our very mortal natures, only accomplish so much. We have to prioritize, and Cain felt making the sacrifice of time and resources that following the Lord's direction required was not the best use of his time.
Fact 3: Before the effects of the path he chose fell upon Cain, he had the truth of it explained to him. Not sure he listened, but it was explained. Remember the Lord loves us, he wants the best for us, and in that infinite love and kindness, he does not hide, water down, or sugar coat the eternal consequences of the choices before us. Cain was told that if he chose to "reject the greater counsel of the Lord" in favor of Satan's counsel that would become his legacy- it would be what he would become. Becoming so much less than he could have been if he had followed the Lord's counsel was the curse placed upon him. (Moses 5:25)
Don't get confused by the use of the word "curse" here. In our English Dictionary you will find something like "to call upon divine power to cause injury to someone." So very, very far from what the Lord means. Remember the Lord's commitment to agency is very deep, when we knowingly make it clear we want nothing to do with Him, he respects that. The word used here means a removal of the Lord's love, protection, and the sustaining, enabling power of the atonement. Literally it means that the Lord withdraws the grace (power) by which we can choose to become like him. Cain became who he wanted to be- a being "free" from the Lord. (Moses 5:33)
Mormon, using the example of the Amlicites in The Book of Mormon, explains how the underlying eternal principle illustrated by Cain's life applies to all God's children:
Nevertheless, they had come out in open rebellion against God, therefore it was expedient that the curse should fall upon them. Now I would that ye should see that they brought upon themselves the curse; and even so doth every man that is cursed bring upon himself his own condemnation. (Alma 3:18-19)
It is easy to look as the end of Cain's path and think it doesn't apply to me, or worse try to apply it to others. But within Cain's approach to his mortal journey are elements common to most of us. These same elements crop up again and again in scriptural teachings and they are consistently linked with rejecting the Lord's direction- and thus cutting ourselves off from the opportunity to become like him. These elements include, but are not limited to:
1. Feeling that I know what I'm about- not being open to the Lord's correcting and teaching me. This is always accompanied by a lack of recognition and gratitude for my life and the power that sustains it. If I do make any attempt to obey his command, even if it I make a few compromises or additions of my own, he owes me!
2. A pretty pronounced lack of love towards one or more of my fellow man.
3. Anger when I do receive correction.
4. Turning away from the Lord because he won't agree with me.
Out of all the examples I have found, the one that most profoundly helped me examine my life- made this lesson real and applicable to me- was the parable of the prodigal sons told by the Savior in Luke 15. It is not the younger brother (though he definitely wandered in some dead end paths) that is the final focus - the exclamation mark on what the Savior is trying to teach. The chapter starts by stating that "publicans and sinners" were drawn to the Savior, and that this was something the Pharisees found objectionable. It didn't fit with their understanding of what a man of God should be. The parables told in this chapter are directed mainly at them, and at our pharisaical tendencies. The first two parables use the example of lost sheep or piece of gold because few question their worth or that it is worthwhile to work for their recovery. The Savior emphasizes the rejoicing the Lord feels each time a son or daughter of God chooses to follow his directions and take the path that leads to Him.
When the parable of the sons is reached something odd happens. The younger son chooses to get lost- and no one seeks to redeem him. As the older son, who claims to love his father, and is the aknowledge inheritor of the birthright, his job was to care for the rest of the family as the father would. In a case, such as this, where the father could not both tend to the inheritance and search after the lost one, it fell to the elder brother to go in his father's stead and redeem that which was lost. And this was not a coin, but the greatest treasure a father could have, a child. The father's reaction when he returns shows how the father grieved this loss. Quite conspicuously, the elder brother does nothing to search after his brother.
When the younger brother comes to himself and humbly returns to his father, ready to be a servant, he is welcomed back as a son. It is a beautiful confirmation of the Lord's love and desire for all of his children to come home, and at one time in my life, the part of the parable that gave me hope. But, again the main emphasis of the parable is on the elder son. He does not rejoice in his brother's return. His brother took half of the father's worldly wealth when he left. His father kills a valuable calf in his honor, and by acknowledging him as a son, verifies he will yet receive part of the inheritance. The elder son is angry and his anger only grows when his father does not do as he instructs, apologize for his mistake, and reject the younger son. The father pleads with him to listen, to learn, to come into his presence and with him rejoice, but the son refuses and chooses to remain outside.
Do you see the common elements: Both Cain and the elder brother were not open to being taught or corrected by their fathers. Both did outwardly obey their fathers, but both did it in hopes of worldly wealth. Their focus on wealth is shown by their animosity towards their brothers- which they see as rivals for the coveted wealth. When the wealth they expected was not forthcoming or threatened, and in its place comes loving correction from their father, they respond with anger and choose to shut themselves out of their fathers presence.
Sobering isn't it. But the elder son's story is encouraging. The Savior left him standing outside the party, but didn't make a final pronouncement. And Cain's story was more fully restored because, according to Mark 15:7,the Lord rejoices more over every child who chooses the path the Savior marked, than he does over the Savior himself. And the Savior himself paid an infinitely enormous price so that no matter where we currently are, not matter if we have got caught up in the elements that so entrapped Cain and the elder brother, we can choose now to follow his path.
Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent (turn back to the path I marked), and I will receive you. (Alma 5:33) (Italics added)
No comments:
Post a Comment