Are You WHO You Want to Be?

Throughout the ages, and throughout the world, one of the most widely explored metaphors is that life is a journey. In my last blog I talked a bit about how the Lord has used this metaphor to help us understand why we are here and the journey He hopes for us. It is not a journey defined by any conceivable outward circumstance, but a journey of becoming. Remember this quote:
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 1: Cain had a rarely paralleled opportunity to grow up surrounded by gospel truth. Cain and Able had older siblings. In fact Cain married one of his elder brother's daughters. Even before Cain's birth some of his siblings had decided they "loved Satan more than God." Eve's words at Cain's birth showed the heartache she felt over this, and a hope that Cain would not step off the path, because he was born after his parents had faithfully, line upon line, come to a full understanding of the plan of salvation.

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)

Let There Be Light

" Money and happiness get all of the ink, but living with purpose might be the truest and straightest line to health and happiness. " (Bob Condor, http://www.abc26.com/health/sns-health-life-purpose-happiness,0,7101337.story))
I have to agree with "cutting edge science."  It reminds me of this story:

There is the old story you have heard so many times of the question asked of three builders of St. Paul’s cathedral in London, “What are you doing here?” The first one answered, “I am working eight hours a day. I am putting in time. I am earning my living this way.” The second one said, “I am putting brick on brick and I am building a structure here.” The third, when asked, raised himself to full stature and said, “I am building a great cathedral.” (Spencer W. Kimball, “A Vision of Visiting Teaching,” Ensign, Jun 1978, 24)

I've thought about that story. It is very short, but you still can clearly see the difference in the men's feelings about their lives. They were going through very similar motions throughout the day, but the third- the third knew he was creating something of lasting value. I especially love the line "raised himself to full statures." He felt his life was being spent in a meaningful purpose, and the satisfaction and happiness he felt in that stood out. It resonates with me because as I came to really study the scriptures and received a witness of who I am and why I am here, I honestly felt that, for the first time, I grew a backbone- a feeling of purpose. I came to understand that the creation of the earth was only preparatory to the ongoing creative work of the Lord, and miraculously, I could have a part in that. Hence, the master creator laid out for me important information about how to successfully go about doing my part in our creative partnership.

First, consider parallels between the creation of the earth and the process we need to go through to be born again and accept the "challenge to become" (Elder Oaks). The earth is described as "void," "without form," -a little bit of purposeless matter until it heard and responded to the voice of the Lord. Because it responded with obedience to each of the Lord's commands, it eventually became a vibrant, beautiful, living creation, with great purpose- an instrument in the hands of the Lord in supporting and nurturing others.

Now look as us. The scriptures teach us that the Savior is the "light of the world."(John 8:12, D&C 88:5-13) And the Lord laments that " that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light." The Lord describes those who have rebelled, or been unable to receive gospel light, as "those that sit in darkness." (Psalms 107:10, Luke 1:79, Doctrine & Covenants 57:10) But He promises those who faithfully follow Him, who make it their work and their purpose to receive and act upon the light they do receive -literally obey as the earth did- they eventually will become full of light and truth. And, along the way they will become beings who are instruments in the Lord's hands in offering life and spiritual nurturing to others.

That which of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light and that light growth brighter and brighter until the perfect day. (Doctrine & Covenants 50:24)

And if your eye be single to my glory (see John 7:18), you’re your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you, and that body which is filled with light compreheneth all things. (Doctrine & Covenants 88:67)

I particularly love the way the story of Alma and the Sons of Mosiah in the Book of Mormon illustrate. Shortly after painfully deciding he "lacked wisdom" and would turn to the Lord, Alma talked about his prior condition:

"My soul hath been redeemed from the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity. I was in the darkest abyss; but now I behold the marvelous light of God." (Mosiah 27:29)

Later, Ammon, one of the sons of Mosiah, reflects on the power of the Lord, and how, through His power, they have become joyful, purposeful instruments in the Lord's hands:

And this is the great blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about his great work….I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold my joy is full, yea my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God…Yea they were encircled about with everlasting darkness and destruction; but behold, he has brought them into his everlasting light…they are encircled about with the matchless bounty of his love….yea we will rejoice, for our joy is full….I cannot say the smallest part which I feel. (Alma 26:3-16)

Of course, if you are familiar with the story, you know that prior to that day of great rejoicing there were several struggles. The mission that ended with such success began with most of them being beaten and imprisoned, and the other becoming a servant assigned a duty calculated to end in his death. These men, and so many other examples from the scriptures, all follow the pattern we see in the creation. They continue to strive to faithfully follow the Lord commands through several creative phases. Learning, growing, becoming better able to discern light and darkness for themselves, and in turn, become instruments in the Lord's hands in offering it to others.

There is so much more to learn from the creation, but as I think about it, I think discussing those lessons fit better with specific examples we will encounter as we go through the Old Testament, so I'll save those notes for later. So I close with these words of encouragement:

I am asking you not to give up “for ye are laying the foundation of a great work.” That “great work” is you—your life, your future, the very fulfillment of your dreams. That “great work” is what, with effort and patience and God’s help, you can become. (Jeffrey R. Holland, “However Long and Hard the Road,” New Era, Sep 1983, 38)