Exponent II's Blog, page 164

Guest Post: My Experience as a Caribbean Latter-Day Saint in Utah

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By Ramona Morris

  I didn’t hear what I thought I heard.

I had to be hearing things

This didn’t make sense.

Even know as I write this article, two years after being called the “n” word for the first time, I still find myself making countless excuses for someone’s else ignorance and flat out racism.

In the fall of 2018, following the death of my grandmother, I packed up my life into two suitcases and flew to Idaho to be near to my adopted second mom (the mom of one of my first missionaries). As an avid traveler, I was pumped yet saddened for the adventure that lay ahead.

As a caretaker for my grandmother who suffered with dementia during my early twenties, this trip signaled more than just an unconventional grieving process, but also meant that for the first time in almost six years since dropping out of college, I was actually doing something for myself.

Still grieving heavily, I found it difficult to talk to those who loved me most. Despite this, I found Idaho refreshing. My mom Jolyn and I would spend our time going to Costco or to the temple. When I recognized early on that no one looked like me, we would play how many persons of color we saw that day.

A few days in, Jolyn and I drove to Utah and in the parking lot of a tiny Snowville gas station, my friend Anna and I hugged after reuniting for the first time she left the mission field in the Barbados Bridgetown mission.

I began to feel like a fish-out-of-water almost immediately. No less than ten minutes into our drive, Anna’s roommate began making fun of my accent. It might have seemed funny but as a proud island Barbadian girl who lived in the Caribbean who was proud of the person she was, I remember crying that night feeling judged and out-of-place.

Still, I painted a happy face on. I became an expert at this. I tried to smile when someone asked me if I came to Utah by boat. But what happened next surprised even me.

A few weeks in, my friend invited me to an event where a group of guys in passing referred to me as the “n”word. It felt like someone had poured cold water all over me. Not wanting to rock the boat, I tried but failed to plaster a smile onto my face so that my friend could enjoy the event.

What happened in the weeks following derailed my experiences in Utah. I began to question friendships. I began to tear myself apart and have massive panic attacks. I spoke even less to friends. When I saw a group chat describing the details of my trips from missionaries who had served where I lived, I wanted nothing more than to go home. Everyone had made Utah out to be the celestial kingdom and here I was feeling like gum under someone’s shoe.

Eventually, I found that friendship from those who stepped in when I was struggling most was all that mattered. I chose to move on from that difficult event to speak out more about the things that often get pushed under the rug.

The things those guys said don’t define me as a person. I am still me. I am still Ramona Morris. I am still Momo and even the Sassy Day Saint. That hateful word has no power over me.

Ramona Morris is a sassy-day saint from the small Caribbean island of Barbados. In her almost four years as a member, she’s dealt with the good, bad, and in-between of being a convert to the church. Her goal is to live the gospel as sassily as she can.

Exponent II Magazine Seeking New Editor-in-Chief

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We at Exponent II are seeking a new Editor in Chief for our quarterly magazine, which shares the voices of women and gender minorities across the Mormon spectrum. The magazine publishes personal narratives, theological essays, fiction, poetry, and art. Exponent II seeks an Editor in Chief who has a vision for growing and evolving the magazine, and who will commit to realizing that vision over the next few years.

The magazine has a long and storied history. It was created in the 1970s when a group of Mormon women in Boston discovered the existence of the “Woman’s Exponent”, a publication of the LDS Relief Society from 1874 until 1914. The Boston-based group revived the concept and began the publication of a periodical that has been sustained for the past ~45 years.

The new Editor in Chief will spend a few months shadowing the outgoing Editor in Chief, Margaret Olsen Hemming, before taking on full responsibility in Spring 2021. See here for more details about the position and its requirements.

To apply for the Editor in Chief position, please send a cover letter and CV by September 15 to board@exponentii.org. The cover letter should include a brief description of your vision and priorities for the magazine.

Exponent’s Church Lesson Plan Archive is Now Searchable

[image error]The Exponent has been writing lesson plans for Relief Society and  Young Women classes since 2006, and now boasts a lesson plan archive of about 500 lesson plans. As you plan your own home church, virtual church, or in-person church lessons, there is a good chance we have a lesson plan covering your topic in our archive. But how do you sift through so much content?

We have recently made it easier for you by adding a Lesson Plan Search Engine to our menu, sidebar (or below on a phone), and site map:

Site Map: Lesson Plans

Oh, and also, right here:

Lesson Plan Search Engine:

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Go ahead!  Give it a try!

In our lesson plans, Exponent bloggers (and our guests) adapt Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) curricula according to a set of guidelines that were developed by some of the Exponent’s earliest bloggers, with minor adjustments over time from the evolving Exponent community:

Include quotes from women.
Add historical context.
Make the lesson applicable to as many women as possible, not just white, middle-class, stay-at-home mothers with young children.
Give a ‘feminist’ perspective on the lesson.
Avoid games or ‘cute’ activities without a specific learning objective. (Games with a learning objective are welcome.)
Offer a global perspective.
Use inclusive language. (If the text only has male pronouns, change it so that it includes females.)
Be mindful about different levels of orthodoxy. (Choose content that uplifts. Avoid using church lessons as a platform to either defend and propagate problematic teachings or to challenge doctrine. I offer my own examples of how I handle this here: When Teacher and Text Aren’t on the Same Page)

You can learn more about our lesson plan guidelines here: Teaching, No Greater Call: How To Teach Like An Exponent Blogger

We are always looking for new content! As you plan your own lessons for church meetings or at-home Come Follow Me lessons, we encourage you to send us your lesson plans to share with the community.

While lesson plans tend to generate fewer comments than more controversial posts, they are among the most searched for and viewed posts on our site. We often hear from church teachers who are not (yet) Exponent readers but who have found and used our lesson plans. By sharing lesson plans, we can bring intersectional, woman-friendly, uplifting messages directly into LDS church classrooms across the world.

You can submit your lesson plans here:

Submit a Guest Post

 

The Woman With The Vessel

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Portrait of the Woman With The Alabaster Jar, by Benedict Edet

 

The woman had a vessel filled with precious oil.

The oil was a physical element used to anoint the one of divine royalty.

It was an element used to anoint the body in preparation for burial, and journey.

The woman brought the element to anoint a man as the Messiah.

Some of her actions were a type and shadow of what Jesus would do hours later at the Last Supper.

She broke…

And poured.

She is not named.

No title, or position.

Did the apostles object because they really were concerned about using these resources to feed the poor?

Possibly.

Or maybe they felt their own position threatened. She was not an apostle. A high priest. She was the lowliest. No official power. Not worth naming. Yet here she was, consecrating Jesus to be God among us. To create him as someone the apostles themselves were not yet ready to witness.

We are not told what words she said. Did she speak something beyond description? Or beyond their understanding?

What did this do to Jesus? He received it willingly. What power did this act have on him? Was it a necessary part of Jesus becoming Christ? Did the precious oil, or her words, or her actions, have a part in the transformation?

Something happened.

Jesus Christ said that anywhere the Gospel is taught, this story would be told.

I don’t find this story in many lesson manuals, or mentioned in many talks. So I let go of the literal story, and look for where the transforming message appears.

The Gospel of Christ is a message of God becoming us, being us, feeling with us so completely, we are at one. This is done without condition. God is love without condition. This overwhelming gift of grace has the power to transform us. We are asked to learn and live this love, then transform each other, and the world with it.

Jesus taught this, and practiced it grace by grace. Was the anointing of precious oil a crucial step for him to take on the exquisite agony of Gethsemane?

What were her powerful words, her actions that created for him the entire message of Gospel, the good news, in that moment?

–

I have been thinking of this today, exactly 19 years after the death of my father. We were there in those last moments, holding him, singing to him, breathing every breath as though our lungs could somehow keep his working.

Then, letting go.

Whatever transformation takes place in that moment, I do not have words for it.

Soon after, I was still there with a few of my sisters, before they came to take him away. The precious element was tears, in preparation for burial. It was each other we were anointing, before the agony of Gethsemane.

There is no title, no calling, no description for this. This agony belonged to all of us, and we were one. Everything that was most beloved could not be taken by death.

–

Years later, I was in the emergency room. My husband, Mike had been brought there after a serious bicycle accident, and I had rushed to be with him. He was repeating the same sentence over and over. The doctors told me he had a severe head injury, and would probably never completely recover. The precious element I poured out, without script or pattern or office, was a plea to God for help. Their words to me – Fear not, we are with you, be not afraid. We are yours, and will give you aid.

They did.

A few years after that, I was lying face down in the tube of a huge machine, getting an MRI after being diagnosed with breast cancer. My arms were extended above my head, my hands reaching outside the machine. Mike was standing there holding my hand during the 50 minutes I was trying to hold still, while the machine loudly blasted away. He looked at his watch, and gently pressed my hand each minute that passed. His precious element was touch. Each touch anointed me with connection in preparation for the Gethsemane ahead – “Fear not. I am with you.”

–

At times, I can acknowledge the need for administration, organization, named positions to create community ritual, structure and practice. I have found great value in this. I can also acknowledge the human tendency to create hierarchy, to quantify power and authority, and to assign value and inherent worth to title and position. There is not a single community or organization to which I belong where this has not happened. No matter the claims of truth, advocacy, enlightenment, or progressive thought, this happens. It is in the nature of all…when they get a little authority.

Where do I find the gospel, the good news?

Where do I invite the presence of God into the world, and anoint Them into existence?

Those in positions of authority have specific roles, and I can learn to recognize when their actions in those roles can be inspiring to me.

And I do not need to wait for any of that to be present, or in tune, or aware of my path, in order to participate in pure Gospel work.

There is no title or position or authority required to recognize the presence of God in my life.

There is no description for which precious element might create transformation of mortal to divine.

There are no words that can describe the love of God.

The actions and offering of a nameless, lowly woman anointed Jesus as the Messiah, in preparation for him, as Christ, to reveal the transforming power of At-One-Ment, the connection of love that is stronger than death – in Gethsemane, and always.

I am – we are each – the woman, the vessel, the precious oil, the anointed.

That is the good news.

 

Guest Post: A Response to Meridian Magazine’s Article on Social Justice

This blog post originally was published on Facebook as a post and is reprinted here with minor changes.
by Christie Black

[image error]In front of the United States/Mexico border wall, author (right) and her friend hold the United States flag and a sign that says, “Reunite Families Now.”

A recent article published by an LDS author tore apart critical social justice ideology by arguing that social justice is against the teachings of the Gospel. We can disagree on the best way to address issues, but we need to have a common set of facts to work from. Thus, I offer these definitions.    

Critical social justice ideology does not view immutable characteristics as shameful. People are not inherently evil because of the color of their skin. This is a complete misunderstanding of White Fragility author Robin DiAngelo, as well as the misunderstanding of systemic oppression. A white person born on a deserted island would not automatically be an oppressor. Oppressors become so because of the culture and systems they are born into. The Stanford Prison Experiment is an example of how people are influenced by the power structures they are a part of. This is not original sin.

Social justice ideology does not reject the doctrine that we are all God’s children. Many of history’s incredible social justice warriors have, in fact, held that as a core belief, such as Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. and John Perkins. The premise is not that a person’s race or identity is more important than their heritage as a child of Heavenly Parents. In fact, the issue is that the way power structures are formed here on earth, people mistakenly internalize thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that are contrary to the inherent divine worth of souls. This is the very concept that social justice is trying to upend — the structures that lead one to believe all beings are not on equal footing, whether that be with the law or with God.

Race is an immutable characteristic of a person. The American view of race is a made-up construction. There are no inherent differences in people of different races. The only difference is how people are treated and the suffering bestowed upon them due to this fallacy. Social justice does not create those differences in treatment and opportunities, but it shines light upon them.

Are we truly living our ultimate goal of drawing near unto God and becoming like He is if we are not living His word? Truly, Christ is the ultimate example of loving and lifting the marginalized. We have been commanded to mourn with those who mourn and to lift the hands that hang down in sorrow. We are to serve the poor and needy. What better way to do so than by lifting the chains of oppression that bind us all? As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “No one is free until we all are free.” We will bring people to Christ most effectively when they see that His followers are truly living Christlike lives and seeking to make the world a more Christlike place to live. Many people have failed at this and have used the Christian doctrine to further oppress and demoralize others. Some, like in the article, use it to justify oppressive systems. Jesus tore down the money changers and tables within the walls of the temple, and I firmly believe He would like us to follow suit in tearing down the sacrilegious idea that trying to truly love and honor our neighbors goes against His doctrine.

Critical social justice theory does not oppose agency. The more freedom we have, the more choices we have. Critical social justice theory does hinge on the idea that some of us are more free than others because of the systems of power in place in a society. Does an undocumented immigrant have the same choices that a citizen has? No. Does that mean an undocumented person does not have agency? No. bell hooks said, “We can collectively regain our faith in the transformative power of love by cultivating courage, the strength to stand up for what we believe in, to be accountable both in word and deed.” hooks is truly a social justice advocate, hoping and working toward a world filled with more love and accountability. That seems pretty consistent with Church doctrine to me.

It is the ones who try to limit the actions of others who are restricting the agency. We are followers of Christ; we are commanded to teach and to love. Others seem to believe that as followers of Christ they are to demand and legislate, thereby making people’s individual choices illegal and exacting penalties of fines and imprisonment for intimate and familial behaviors. Again, social justice focuses on giving all humankind more agency, instead of leaving it in the hands of specific social groups.

Critical social justice theory does not reject the concept of truth. Sometimes as Latter-day Saints we fall into the trap of believing that all of our beliefs are objective truths. Especially when those beliefs are based on false information. I once believed it was truth that an undocumented person was a sinner and unworthy to attend the temple because they had broken the law. I no longer believe that — and neither does the Church. We should not fall into the trap that our political beliefs necessarily equate to moral truths.

Indeed, even our own faith’s apostles and prophets have contradicted each other. President Henry B. Eyring’s father Hal Eyring said, “Is there any conflict between science and religion? There is no conflict in the mind of God, but often there is conflict in the minds of men.” I would argue the same is true of true social justice. We may not understand how to reconcile the two at times, but that may be because we are not truly understanding God’s mind on the issue.

While on the earth, Jesus did not generally speak kindly of those with power. Indeed, the scriptures say, “… upon every one who is lifted up, and he shall be brought low” (see 2 Nephi 12:12). Social justice does not mean power is given only to marginalized groups but that all is equal. The end goal is not to make white people the new marginalized group; the end goal is equality of all people.

Critical social justice theory does not promote division over unity. It merely speaks of the division that is already present. Speaking of unity does nothing when entire groups of people continue to be marginalized. Shedding light on that truth makes the divisions that already exist more apparent, which is necessary for reconciliation.

Critical social justice theory does not oppose self-reliance. It does not dictate that people should rely upon social institutions for success in life. It does indicate that social systems that are inherently oppressive should be dealt with and changed, just as the Church teaches. Once the systems are truly equitable, marginalized people will have a greater opportunity to truly be self-reliant, rather than constantly fighting being a victim of the system.

True repentance means change. We must change the systems of oppression. What is racial reconciliation if not true repentance? John Perkins said, “There is no reconciliation until you recognize the dignity of the other, until you see their point of view — you have to enter into the pain of people, you’ve got to feel their need.” Not only is this repentance, this is true charity — to see the worth and value of each of God’s children. If we all lived charity to the fullest extent, we would not need further social justice because we would all be living it.

Critical social justice theory does not mean that traditional nuclear families are negative but that other less traditional families can also be effective and part of God’s plan.

One cannot claim to be a proponent of strengthening families while tearing down and denigrating those families they do not approve of. Rather than quoting statistics or pointing at certain families as cautionary tales, a true Christian would do unto others as they would want done to them.

One of the greatest lies we tell ourselves is that discomfort is not of God. When we are faced with facts or decisions that make us uncomfortable, we sometimes assume the Spirit is telling us it is wrong. But discomfort does not equal offense of the Spirit. Jesus was the master of making people feel uncomfortable. Jonah was uncomfortable going to teach the people of Nineveh, but God absolutely wanted him to go. We feel discomfort for a number of reasons, and it is critical that we determine where the source of our discomfort comes from. It may just be that our viewpoints are being challenged. That discomfort may be just what we need to change. “Fear of radical changes leads many citizens of our nation to betray their minds and hearts. Yet we are all subjected to radical changes every day. We face them by moving through fear,” said bell hooks.

The world can be a truly scary place, but I would argue that we needn’t fear the people around us. We needn’t fear people who are different, and we needn’t fear ideas that are different.

Christie Black is a stay-at-home mom of two and recent convert to activism. She enjoys reading and cooking and working with the marginalized in society.

Why the Radio Silence From On Top?

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There has been a rare sort of radio silence in my ward and stake since the Covid19 pandemic began in March. I haven’t been very bothered by this. I’m married with three kids. No church meant less arguing with kids on Sunday morning and no mutual activities meant one less Tuesday night activity to keep track of on my calendar. Like other busy families, I missed the many things that shut down simultaneously, but it was also very refreshing to have so much less to do. 

I’ve received a handful of emails from my bishopric and noticed the primary chorister posted some songs on the ward Facebook page a couple times, but other than that, we’ve mostly been on our own during this quarantine. That was fine by me. 

However, last week I went out with a longtime friend from my ward and she shared with me her perspective over the past few months as a single mom. She and I moved onto the street as newlyweds in 2003. We’ve each had three kids, and she went through a painful divorce about 7 years ago when her husband left her. Since then she’s survived on her own and stayed very active in the church, even as her ex-husband left the church and their oldest son followed. She attended every week with her two younger boys, and when the world shut down she found herself alone with her three boys – the oldest no longer a member and the younger two not old enough to bless the sacrament.

Among the other stressors in her life during these past few months, she tearfully told me how incredibly abandoned she felt by the church. Other families were having home church and posting photos on social media, saying how special and spiritual it was to have their husbands and sons perform that sacred ordinance and the blessing they felt partaking of it. 

Meanwhile in her home, she had no ordinances. There was not only the lack of the sacrament each week, there was no ability to receive priesthood blessings and even meeting with the bishop to ask for help became too complicated. As we sat in her car and she cried, it became clear that not only did she feel left completely on her own at the ward level, she felt like the top leadership of the church didn’t notice she was suffering either. The message from top to bottom was that everybody else was fine with home church, and those rare exceptions where a woman didn’t live with a priesthood holder were few and far between, and not a big deal. 

Only a few days later, I read an online post from the family member of a top female church leader. The author explained that the topic of single women (like my friend) was in reality a major topic of concern at every single meeting of the first presidency and Quorum of the Twelve. Unlike the feeling of being forgotten that my friend was experiencing, quite the opposite was true – according to this source they are very aware and very concerned about women like her. She’s the topic of prayer and discussion and deep compassion. But if that’s the case, why hasn’t church leadership expressed this to the church membership so that she’d know they haven’t forgotten her?

I obviously can’t know for sure, but I have a theory. Throughout my entire life, I’ve been told consistently that women don’t need to hold the priesthood. In primary, they used an umbrella as an example. It doesn’t matter who holds the umbrella up, because everyone can stand under it and be protected. In general conference they said it doesn’t matter who opens the curtains, because the light comes in and warms everyone up equally. I heard a sacrament meeting talk that likened priesthood power to a river, and the priesthood holders were the rocks on the banks of the river that guided the power where it needed to go. All the plants (the women, I guess?) get the water they need to grow and thrive because the rocks (the men?) directed the water right to them. 

Whatever the analogy, I was taught frequently that holding the priesthood in no way benefited men over women. There are plenty arguments to be made against that idea, but the basic premise was that it didn’t matter a bit who specifically held the priesthood, as everybody was equally blessed by it.

But in this current pandemic, that’s not the case at all anymore. Plenty of people aren’t being blessed by the priesthood, and it kind of does matter who’s holding the umbrella. What would happen if church leadership spoke out publicly and loudly about their concern for the single women of the church during a time when they can’t access something as basic and supposedly important as the sacrament? Would addressing the problem of women lacking access to this ordinance open them up to criticism about women’s real life disadvantages in the church? Is that why they’ve been so quiet about the whole thing? 

I believe it is. I think they’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. Their compassion calls them to loudly address the single sisters in the church during this time, but their need to protect themselves from criticism demands silence. I don’t know what changes these unprecedented circumstances will lead to, but I hope these months of constant prayer, discussion and concern for women with no priesthood access will give them a new empathy. I also hope it leads to new revelation, better understanding, and substantial changes moving forward in the way women are prioritized and acknowledged in this church. Because if this moment in history doesn’t significantly change things for Latter-day Saint women moving forward, I don’t know if anything ever will. 

A blessing for all of those in need of a blessing

Prior to the pandemic, I asked the women in the Exponent community what situations they would like to have addressed in a blessing and was overwhelmed by the response. I offer this blessing-of-all-needs and hope that all of my readers can locate themselves in this blessing and find comfort.

A blessing for all of those in need of a blessing

God,
We are people seeking comfort for the griefs of life that overwhelm us.
Life was challenging enough before the pandemic
And these wounds linger in our lives
The blessings we are seeking are specific to the seeker
But these requests are heard and echoed
By many.
Please hear our petition for our sisters in need.

We are seeking
A blessing for the daughters we were before we knew who we were
A blessing for someone who is trying to heal from trauma
A blessing for those who want children but don’t have them
A blessing for those who have children but wouldn’t have chosen to have them if they had had a choice
A blessing for those who are single but want a partner
A blessing for those who are married but wish they weren’t and don’t see a way out
A blessing for those who came out of a crisis relatively unscathed and feel guilty for being okay while others are suffering
A blessing for those who feel like they can’t ask for one
A blessing for those who don’t feel like they deserve one
A blessing for those who feel alone
A blessing for those dealing with invisible disabilities
A blessing for those with visible disabilities
A blessing for those who can’t come out
A blessing for those who are in unsafe situations
A blessing when your faith is shattered
A blessing for those who think today seems ok but are pretty sure something bad will arrive tomorrow
A blessing for those in pain
A blessing for when your dream dies
A blessing for dealing with chronic illness, both physical and mental
A blessing for caregivers
A blessing for patience to deal with what I already have
A blessing for when you have a child struggling with addiction
A blessing for the ability to forgive
A blessing to be forgiven
A blessing for those who are beginning anew
A blessing for those audacious enough to hope
A blessing for the understanding of white supremacy culture and for strength in dismantling it
A blessing for those who have just had an abortion
A blessing for those who want to parent better than they were parented
A blessing of gratitude for abundance
A blessing for those examining their privilege
A blessing to have more empathy
A blessing of letting go of things that hurt us, even when they feel familiar
A blessing for feeling two ways at once
A blessing for those trying to hear their Mother’s voice
A blessing for those whose beliefs are quaking but whose faith is strong
A blessing on for being a decent mother-in-law
A blessing for the ones without a God
A blessing for the ones with a self
A blessing for gay spouses of straight partners in a mixed-orientation marriage
A blessing for straight spouses of gay partners in a mixed-orientation marriage
A blessing for the woman I might have been had I not been taught that the only available roles were wife and mother
A blessing for the resentment a mother because she wasn’t able to raise her children in the way she felt was best
A blessing for women who have had a miscarriage or stillborn baby and are struggling with the question if they will see them again in the afterlife
A blessing for radical acceptance of a life not lived or a path not taken
A blessing of self forgiveness when one’s parenting falls short
A blessing of openness to others’ ideas and opinions without judgement
A blessing of sleep to calm an anxious parent
A blessing of peace to a child who desires a relationship with their parent but that is no longer possible
A blessing that good enough is okay
A blessing for those going through a divorce that was wanted.
A blessing for those going through a divorce that was not wanted
A blessing for those who were loved only conditionally as children
A blessing for parents worried about dangerous choices their children are making
A blessing for grieving past choices and missed opportunities
Amen.

Come Follow Me: Alma 53-63 “Preserved by His Marvelous Power”

Speaking Truth(?) to Power

The chapters included in this lesson all take place during a time of war between the Nephites and the Lamanites.  This  is a high-stress situation where the stakes are high—literally, life and death. In such challenging situations, we see people at their best and worst. What can we learn from what Nephite leaders did right and wrong in these stressful circumstances?

Moroni Communicates with the Enemy

In Alma 54, a Lamanite leader, Ammoron, proposes a prisoner exchange and Moroni, a Nephite leader, is thrilled. (In Alma 54:2, the text says he “felt to rejoice exceedingly at the request.”)

Moroni’s reply demonstrates his high moral code, his boldness, his skill at military strategy…and his complete lack of diplomacy. Ammoron’s army is holding civilian hostages, including women and children. Moroni has maintained a higher code of conduct and only taken warriors as prisoners.  He agrees to the exchange on the condition that for each man delivered by Moroni,  Ammoron will deliver a man plus a woman and children,  but he surrounds his counter-offer with  threatening and condescending language and calls Ammoron “a child of hell” (Alma 54:4-14).

In spite of the incivility of the response, Ammoron agrees to the terms, only to have Moroni renege on his offer because Ammoran did not concede to Moroni’s point about Ammoron’s wickedness (Alma 55:2). Fortunately, Moroni devises a plan to free the prisoners and is able to do so without casualties, so everything works out in the end (Alma 55:3-27).

Moroni Communicates with his Allies

In Alma 60, Moroni writes a fiery letter to his own governor, Pahoran,  “by the way of condemnation” for his failure to send adequate troops and supplies. I dissect his letter as follows:

1. He lists his grievances. (Alma 60: 1-5)

2. He asks for an explanation (rudely). (Alma 60:6)

3. He defends the powerless and gives voice to the voiceless. (Alma 60:7-17)

4. He questions the governor’s motives. (Alma 60:18-23)

5. He makes a call for action. (Alma 60:24)

6. He threatens revolt. (Alma 60:25-31)

7. He testifies/claims God is on his side. (60:32-36)

It’s a stirring revolution monologue with some stinging one-liners thrown in. He doesn’t call Pahoran “a child of hell” but he does call him a “traitor.”

Moroni was trying to speak truth to power, but he didn’t have all the information he needed and his assumptions were wrong. His colleague, Helaman, was less hot-headed than Moroni and gave Pahoran the benefit of the doubt:

34 Now we do not know the cause that the government does not grant us more strength; neither do those men who came up unto us know why we have not received greater strength.

35 Behold, we do not know but what ye are unsuccessful, and ye have drawn away the forces into that quarter of the land; if so, we do not desire to murmur.

36 And if it is not so, behold, we fear that there is some faction in the government, that they do not send more men to our assistance; for we know that they are more numerous than that which they have sent.

37 But, behold, it mattereth not—we trust God will deliver us, notwithstanding the weakness of our armies, yea, and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies.

-Alma 58:34-37

Moroni’s righteous indignation was deflated by Pahoran’s explanation, which revealed that Moroni’s wrath was misdirected. Pahoran hasn’t sent troops and supplies because he couldn’t; he was overthrown in a coup, just as Helaman had guessed (Alma 61). Nevertheless, Pahoran remains gracious:

And now, in your epistle you have censured me, but it mattereth not; I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your heart. I, Pahoran, do not seek for power, save only to retain my judgment-seat that I may preserve the rights and the liberty of my people. My soul standeth fast in that liberty in the which God hath made us free.

-Alma 61:9

On Not Being Offended…or Offensive

Jesus Christ taught:

Woe unto the world because of offenses! for it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh!

-Matthew 18:7

I see two great truths in these words:

Someone will offend us, so we need to learn how to deal with it.
We should try not to be the person who offends people.

Not Taking Offense

One of the greatest indicators of our own spiritual maturity is revealed in how we respond to the weaknesses, the inexperience, and the potentially offensive actions of others. A thing, an event, or an expression may be offensive, but you and I can choose not to be offended—and to say with Pahoran, “it mattereth not.”

-Elder David A. Bednar, And Nothing Shall Offend Them

Reread Moroni’s letter in Alma 60, putting yourselves in Pahoran’s shoes.  Consider these questions as you read:

How was Pahoran able to see “greatness in [Moroni’s] heart” while reading such an offensive letter from him?
What truths did Moroni teach in his letter?
How can we truly listen to others and hear their truth, regardless of their tone?
How can we forgive others who offend us? Why should we?
How can we work with good—but difficult—people?

Not Being Offensive

The counsel to “cease to be offended” works best when we apply it to our own selves, like an affirmation: “I will not let this careless person thwart me.  I can move past this.  I don’t have to carry this in my heart.”

In our interactions with other people, we do not have a right to offend them and then order them to cease to be offended. Our goal should be as Christ taught:

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

-Matthew 7:12

Reread Moroni’s letter in Alma 60.

Which aspects of the letter were assertive, helpful  or necessary?
Which parts would have been better left unsaid?
How can we avoid making assumptions about others?
How can we stop ourselves from being offensive?
What should we do after we realize we have done something offensive?  How do we make it right?

 

Strengthening Youth & Letting Youth Lead

In Alma 53, we learn about the 2,000 stripling warriors. Their parents had been Lamanites and prone to war. After their conversion, they had buried their weapons and made an oath of pacifism. (Alma 53:10-12) They considered breaking their oath to defend their new Nephite community, until their young sons, who had not taken the oath, volunteered to join the army in their place. (Alma 53:13-18)

20 And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.

21 Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him.

22 And now it came to pass that Helaman did march at the head of his two thousand stripling soldiers, to the support of the people in the borders of the land on the south by the west sea.

-Alma 53:10-22

In Alma 56:46-48, Helaman reports that they volunteered to enter battle.

46 For as I had ever called them my sons (for they were all of them very young) even so they said unto me: Father, behold our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth; we would not slay our brethren if they would let us alone; therefore let us go, lest they should overpower the army of Antipus.

47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.

-Alma 56: 46-48

This verse is often quoted to show that women are important…because they raise men who do important things.  While mothers do influence their sons, this interpretation does not resonate with me because I prefer to see women as important in and of themselves, not just inasmuch as they influence and train males. However, I like that these sons appreciated their mothers’ wisdom and brought their mothers’ perspectives into the conversation.

In Alma 57:20:27, Helaman reports on their success in battle.

20 And as the remainder of our army were about to give way before the Lamanites, behold, those two thousand and sixty were firm and undaunted.

21 Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them.

22 And now behold, it was these my sons, and those men who had been selected to convey the prisoners, to whom we owe this great victory; for it was they who did beat the Lamanites; therefore they were driven back to the city of Manti.

23 And we retained our city Cumeni, and were not all destroyed by the sword; nevertheless, we had suffered great loss.

24 And it came to pass that after the Lamanites had fled, I immediately gave orders that my men who had been wounded should be taken from among the dead, and caused that their wounds should be dressed.

25 And it came to pass that there were two hundred, out of my two thousand and sixty, who had fainted because of the loss of blood; nevertheless, according to the goodness of God, and to our great astonishment, and also the joy of our whole army, there was not one soul of them who did perish; yea, and neither was there one soul among them who had not received many wounds.

26 And now, their preservation was astonishing to our whole army, yea, that they should be spared while there was a thousand of our brethren who were slain. And we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe—that there was a just God, and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be preserved by his marvelous power.

27 Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually.

-Alma 57:20-27

General Primary President Joy D. Jones talked about how we can help modern youth become “sin-resistant” like the stripling warriors.

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Heroes (Taught by their Mothers) by Liz Lemon Swindle

“Fortifying children to become sin-resistant is a task and a blessing for parents, grandparents, family members, teachers, and leaders. We each bear responsibility to help… Understanding the doctrine of repentance is essential for becoming resistant to sin. Being sin-resistant doesn’t mean being sinless, but it does imply being continually repentant, vigilant, and valiant…The stripling warriors “were exceedingly valiant for courage … ; but behold, this was not all—they were … true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted. Yea, … they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him.” These young men went to war carrying Christlike virtues as weapons against their adversaries. President Thomas S. Monson reminded us that “the call for courage comes constantly to each of us. Every day of our lives courage is needed—not just for the momentous events but more often as we make decisions or respond to circumstances around us.” Our children don spiritual armor as they establish patterns of personal daily discipleship. -Joy D. Jones, Primary General President, A Sin-Resistant Generation

How can we help modern youth have the strength and courage?
How can we give them leadership opportunities and let them use their strength and courage?

 

Practice, Teaching, Community

 

[image error]Have you ever received excellent advice that rang true immediately and stayed with you for years?  In this post I share two examples of good advice I received, once 20 years ago and once very recently.  In both cases the advice was worthwhile and important for me to contemplate.

Twenty years ago, I was considering switching jobs. I had been in my current position about 8 years and grew weary of it.   Switching jobs would mean months of not feeling on top of things, of being ‘new’ again.  Despite my apprehension I knew I wanted and needed the change.  

 I talked it over with a friend who said very clearly, “If you are not thriving, you are dying.”  It was plain, simple truth.  I recognized immediately that I was not thriving in my current job.   I made the change.   There have been other times when I  used this advice to make needed changes in my life.  I  asked to be released from callings because I knew I was no longer thriving in the role.  I have had friendships end because the relationship didn’t thrive; there was toxicity.  I’ve made lifestyle changes regarding food, exercise and sleep patterns when I recognize that I am not thriving. This advice has served me well.

Recently I took an on-line class, (teacher James Finley) studying the writings of Teresa of Avila.  In the last lecture, Finley offered his parting advice on how to apply this course material (or anything of importance) in our lives.  He said,

Find your practice and practice it.
Find your teaching and follow it.
Find your community and enter it.

I knew immediately this was important. I replayed the lecture and took notes.

Two weeks after finishing this class, my book club came to Chapter 8 of Thich Nhat Hanh’s (TNH), Living Buddha, Living Christ (1995).  In this chapter, TNH describes the Three Jewels of Buddhism, the Buddha, the dharma and the sangha.  The Buddha represents the practice of mindfulness.  The dharma is the body of teaching, past and present, available to study and practice.  The sangha represents your community, where you support each other on your journeys. 

Interestingly, these Three Jewels match up nicely with Finley’s advice. Buddha is the practice, darhma is the teaching and sangha is the community.   I thought I was really onto something, hearing this same advice from two spiritual leaders, in different spheres. They had my attention. 

Then a few days later I had an “Aha Moment” realizing that this advice is the same thing I have been hearing in church (LDS) and even in my Catholic school roots, “Pray, Read the Scriptures and Go to Church.”   I was flummoxed.  How had I not recognized this earlier?. 

Yet the advice from Finley and TNH resonated so strongly with me, as the Primary answers lay lifeless at my feet.  Why? Was it because Finley and TNH were outside my circle and I was looking for something “other than” what I already knew? Was it the way they worded it? Was it the deeper explanations they shared with their advice?   It was all these reasons and probably more.

This next section is an expansion on Finley’s teaching.  For additional information on the Three Jewels of Buddhism click here or or here.

FIND YOUR PRACTICE and PRACTICE IT

Finley calls us to a prayer and meditation “practice” called lectio divina.  Lectio divina translated from Latin means “divine reading” and dates back to the 4th century.  These are the steps in this practice.  

Prepare yourself: set aside time in a quiet environment, light a candle (if that helps), calm your mind, and offer an opening prayer inviting God to commune with you.

Lectio (read a spiritual text): read through the text, looking/listening for words or phrases that resonate with you, and catch your attention.  Don’t force it.  Allow God to draw you in.

Meditatio (reflect): Re-read the passage or the section of the passage that is speaking to you.  You can ask God to help you see more clearly. Reflect on what God is saying to you. Listen. This is about you and God, in this moment, with inspiration kindled in the written word.  Do not study or analyze the scriptures in context, just listen.

Oratio (respond): Read the passage a third time and speak to God in conversation.  Respond to the impressions felt during the reflection. You can record your thoughts in addition to speaking with God during this practice. 

Contemplatio (rest): Read the passage a fourth time, then sit in silence for several minutes.  You do not need to pray or think about anything during this time.  Just sit in silence and allow God to work with you.

The following is a personal example of lectio divino.  I am reading Nan Merrill’s Psalms for Praying, An Invitation to Wholeness, as my daily scriptures this summer.  I find her translation of the Psalms very accessible.

In the morning I prepare myself in a quiet place, before starting work.  I offer a morning prayer and ask for God’s presence as I read Psalm 83.  I am struck by these verses,

“Let the refining Fire of your Love reach into the hidden places within open hearts!                                               Forgive us and let the deep regret of our souls rise up as contrite offerings.”    

I reread these specific verses and picture my heart, deep within my body. I see the chambers of my heart opening like a cabinet revealing my soul hidden and timid.  I invite the flame of God’s love into my soul, illuminating the shadows, allowing the space to be opened, exposed, cleansed, revived, and renewed.  I see the regrets in my life, the actions taken and not taken, the words said and unsaid and gently offer them to the flame, to be exhumed from my soul. 

I read the verses again. I ask God to help me, to enlarge my soul with goodness and love for myself and others.  I ask to know the path to follow.  I ask for the desire to do God’s will.  I listen.  I remember things and commit to do better. I sit with it.

Later in the day, I reread this passage and visualize my soul as a clearing in the woods with a fire pit.  My soul is there with the flame.  We are talking. I am safe with the flame.

Before bed I read the passage again and sit quietly for 10 minutes, thankful for the imagery and the sense of relief I feel from letting go of my regrets and opening my heart.

There are many resources available regarding lectio divina, Here’s one: click here. 

Finley says if you are faithful to this practice it will be faithful to you.  God will meet you where you are, communing with you in an ongoing relationship.   

FIND YOUR TEACHING and FOLLOW IT

Paraphrasing Finley, the “teaching” bears witness to oneness and wholeness that transcends as it permeates endlessly.  It teaches you to let go of that which hinders your heart from living in oneness. It is discernment. 

The teaching is certainly scriptures, and more than scriptures. It is all that brings you to oneness and wholeness. For me it is the writing of Nan Merrill, Teresa of Avila, or a novel.  It is nature, a river, a mountain, a rabbit on my lawn, the ocean, the moon, a child, an aging friend or a good teacher.  It is the truth that you know in your heart. It is music. It is dance. It is the sunset.

Finley suggests you keep a journal as you are reading scripture or spiritual works.  After each section or chapter ask yourself, “How am I experiencing this?  How would I say this in my own words? What is this passage asking of me?”   He suggests that a particular book or writing might be “your teaching” for a period of time.  It will speak to you, resonate with you, and draws you in.  He suggests you read it repeatedly, taking notes.  Over the years you will see the transformation of your heart because the subject of the book has been you.  Certain books will become old friends to be treasured over and over, like music or art.  Continue to follow the teaching until all your life becomes teaching. 

FIND YOUR COMMUNITY and ENTER IT 

Your deepest community is God.  You are being drawn into God as you follow your practice and  teaching.  The next level of community is with one other person with whom you share your spiritual journey.  Larger circles of community form in families, friendships, congregations, and organizations. Eventually you will find kinship in both the living and the dead as you realize the whole world is your community. 

You might ask, how do I find someone to share this path with? You may need to be alone (with God) for a while.  Eventually you will sense something in another person that draws you in.  You may be led to a new group.  Explore until you find your community. You will know it when you have peace, acceptance, support, and opportunities.  It’s like all truth … you will know it when you find it. 

Getting back to the earlier advice,  if your group is not thriving, it is dying.  You can revitalize it.  You can bring “the flame” to it and expose the hidden corners, as the psalmist says.  Or it might be time to leave. 

____

What Finley offers is a vast expansion on “pray, read your scriptures and go to church”. This enlargement  brought energy to me.  Others might already be there, but I needed this tutorial to jump-start my thready spiritual heartbeat. 

I particularly like the lectio divina “practice”. When I make time, the practice is fruitful.  I like the expansive view of “teaching”; beyond canonized scripture to include good books, nature, music and art. If we believe God’s body is the universe, then we can believe God will use the universe to teach us.  I particularly like Finley’s recommendation to “find your community and enter it”.  It is a journey of exploration; seek and find!  I have found community with friends, with family members and with small groups.  

 

How’s it going for you?

Where do you find community?

Is there at least one person with whom you can share your deepest spiritual thoughts?

Have you ever practiced lectio divina? What were the results?

Have you found your teaching to include material beyond the canonized works?

 

The 2020 #LDS Youth Music Festival was delightfully multicultural.

I watched this 2020 Youth Music Festival of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints drive-in movie-style in our church parking lot as a social-distancing ward activity. I was pleasantly surprised at how multicultural it was, with many artists speaking and singing in their own languages with English subtitles.