Dan Brooks's Blog, page 19

True Freedom, True Forgiveness

When someone has been hurt, attacked, abused and suffered injustice it is natural to feel anger, bitterness and even hatred.
However, holding on to those emotions is only toxic for the victim not the victimizer(s). Those emotions need to be jettisoned in order for healing to take place.
In many cases the victim becomes a victimizer because the negative and toxic emotions and thoughts take control. This, in part, is why the toxic thoughts and feelings must be discarded.
As Nelson Mandela showed us the only path to healing is forgiveness because the alternative holds us captive to negativity in a prison of our own bitterness.
Jesus taught about forgiveness, He taught that our forgiveness ideally should be infinite.

21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Matthew 18:21-22

Seventy times seven is symbolic for infinity. And so we are taught to forgive as we are taught to love; without conditions or limits.

Maybe our enemies haven't earned our forgiveness but it seems as though Jesus taught that they do deserve our forgiveness and our love.

But forgiveness doesn't just free our enemies it frees us and all we have control over is ourselves. We can free ourselves from the toxicity that would otherwise rule us.

We may be taught to love our enemies but one can love another without condoning or accepting everything they say or do.

Look to the example of how Jesus treated all those He met. He may have been sharp with the Pharisees but He did not hate those who hated Him. He prayed for the forgiveness of His murderers.

And that's the best example of forgiveness I can think of. Because it is both a demonstration of forgiveness and love that knows no limits or conditions.

The Journey Of Eternity

Not long after my wife's diagnosis she had a dream where she and her siblings were speaking with Christ and each one had to choose a different challenge to live with and my wife chose lupus because she knew she was the only one who could handle it.
There is an article in which a scientist proposes that not only can consciousness survive the death of the body but it is also something that existed prior to birth. It is eternal.
This solidifies the faith of many. I just find it interesting but it does nothing to strengthen my faith because I believe faith to be the evidence of things unseen.
Find the article here.
Shakespeare said "All the world is a stage." And we must faithfully play our part because leading role or not we are all connected like ripples in a pond eventually we feel the effects of every action large or small.
I believe we were aware of what our lives would entail before we began it. I don't believe The Lord ever hands us obstacles or challenges we are not capable of over coming.
I have been diagnosed with a mental illness and it is very hard to manage. But I do manage.
For my part I believe my wife's dream in that I agreed to live my life with all the challenges it has brought me. And while much of it is sad my journey has also led me into a life with my wife and our children and I say all the pain, all the fury and tragedy, all the heart ache, all the weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth it was all worth it if only for that one saving grace of leading me into a life with my wife and children and experiences that made me a better man, step dad and husband.
Our lives aren't just measured by our achievements, often our achievements owe a debt to our failures, our joys owe something to our tradgedies. 
I've often thought of the external uncontrollable factors in life being like the hand of God. Shaping us like a gardener pruning a plant into what he knows it can and should become and though it might not make sense initially when you fall into the place your whole life has led up to, you will understand and may even be grateful.
All our pain I think served a purpose it reminds me of Viktor Frankl saying that if you give someone a reason for their pain the can handle nearly anything imaginable and considering this wisdom came from a man who survived auchwitz I'd say it was him speaking from experience. And it's worthy of consideration.
Our lives are a fraction of eternity but it is also of critical importance.

The Third Way

Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that. -Dr.Martin Luther King
I believe that quote to be true. And just as true I feel that saying war cannot win peace, it can only create more war, is also true.
These statements I believe to be true because I believe in turning the other cheek. I believe loving your enemy can work. And even if you fail in love it is better to fail in love and peace than win in hate and war.
I find that all one can control is oneself. And if your love is healthy it will not be draining on you but instead will overflow in abundance and bless all those in your circles.
There is a man named Shaul David Judelman in Israel who created a garden with help from both Israeli's and Palestinians and through a love of God and all His children and especially a love of the land that is bringing together so many from both sides rather than fostering hate and divisions this group is laying the ground work for a lasting peace.
The leaders may be killing en masse but there are many many people from both sides who are embracing love and rejecting hate.
Gandhi won freedom from British rule and complete independence without firing a single shot.
Dr. King made a monumental impact on America using the same tactics. Many will say both examples are flukes but how often do enough people embrace peace and non-violence over war? Could it just be that peace as so rarely been given a chance?
Dr. King and Gandhi were both faced with the classic two options of choosing one side over the other and instead chose a third option, one of non-violent resistance and trying to allow all sides to win in a compromise that truly benefits all.
Before Constantine and the advent of a just war theory Christians embraced non-violence in reaction to Roman crucifixions and lion feedings. They went like a lamb to slaughter because they would rather give their lives in the name of The Lord than take a life in the name of The Lord.
Typically leaders choose one side over the other. But the third way opens up the possibility of all sides wining.
Rock Waterman said the best way to win an argument is to let the other guy win too. But if in times of conflict we love our enemies we allow our enemies to win and we can truly win for ourselves and save lives that would otherwise be lost in conflict.
There is a third option and it looks better than the alternatives to me.

Grace And Works

The LDS view of grace versus works is that your works must demonstrate righteousness but since we are all sinners God's grace and Christ's atonement fill in the gap to then allow us into Heaven.
In mainstream Christianity there has always been fierce debate between faith versus works with scripture validating one side while invalidating the scripture of the other.
The LDS view is seen by many as trying to have your cake and eat it too because arguments from both sides are right. Basically the LDS position is taken to task because it refuses to choose one side over the other by choosing a third option therefore both sides attack.
I'll post links to scripture for and against both grace and works at the end of this article.
The reason I agree with the LDS stance is because I believe that as Paul wrote: 
"9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 3:9/3:23

So if we haven all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God works alone won't save us.

An argument in favor of grace is that we cannot purchase salvation through works but I look at it as works being indicative of a saved heart of a saved and truly changed soul rather than works serving to purchase salvation.

Jesus said that ye shall know them by their fruits meaning works. Good fruit does not come from a bad tree just like bad fruit does not come from a good tree.

And some may argue that good people do bad things and bad people do good things but one would have to know the contents of the hearts and minds of others to truly know that, to truly know ones true motives.

So I favor the LDS position because we need grace but we can't get by solely on grace that is lip service to The Lord because if you have been truly changed by Christ then your actions will bear that out just as your speech and thoughts will as well.

You cannot ignore the teachings of Christ and assume that since you believe the Bible to be inerrant and literal that you can do as you please and be saved because you believe Jesus to be the savior that that's all it takes is believing in the grace of Christ.

But then since we all sin works alone are not enough, grace is required.

And I feel that the scripture favoring grace is just as true as the scripture favoring works because both are essential I think.

I don't think one scripture invalidates another. They serve to further deepen understanding by looking at both ideas and even by contrasting and comparing them.

From Wikipedia:

The means of justification is an area of significant difference between Catholics/Eastern Orthodox andProtestants. Broadly speaking, Catholicand Orthodox Christians distinguish between initial justification, which in their view occurs at baptism, and permanent justification, accomplished after a lifetime of striving to do God's will. Most Protestants believe that justification is a singular act in which God declares an unrighteous individual to be righteous, an act made possible because Christ was legally "made sin" while on the cross (2 Cor 5:21). Justification is granted to all who exercise faith, and that is viewed as a gift from God (unmerited favour) byLutherans and Calvinists, who use Eph 2:8, as well as Acts 16:14 and Phil 1:29 to support that belief. Catholics and Eastern Orthodox use James 2:14-26, Galatians 5:19-21 and Matthew 19:17 to support their belief that justification is kept through avoidinggrave sins. Justification is seen by Protestants as being the theological fault line that divided Catholic from Protestant during the Protestant Reformation.[1]

And on works we have this from Wikipedia:

Apostle Paul connects grace with works writing to his fellow-worker Titus in Titus 2:11-12 that the grace of God has appeared in order to live an upright and godly life. For him good works are a consequence of grace (compare 2 Cor 6:1) and he even says that on theJudgment Day "...each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body" (2 Cor 5:10). The Letter to the Hebrews says that doing good is a God pleasing sacrifice (Hebrews 13:16). Furthermore, like in every book or epistle of the New Testament, doing God's will is emphasized (Hebrews 13:21).

This verse also speaks about the cooperation between the believer and God in regard to the believer's deeds because God works out in a Christian what is pleasing in his sight. Jamesstates in his letter that a person is "considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone" (James 2:24).Apostle John describes the life of a Christian as walking in the same way in which Jesus walked, which includes necessarily also deeds (1 John 2:6). In his letter Jude describes false teachers as "fruitless trees in late autumn", indicating that true believers should bear fruit in their lives (Jude 12).

Blended Families

In our church culture the ideal family is one consisting of Husband, Wife and as many biological children as is medically possible.
Any family that deviates from this ideal is seen by far too many as less than.
My family is blended and I wouldn't have it any other way. I have four stepchildren and have been told by many people that they are not my children and either a) I don't owe them anything or b) I have no right to tell them what to do or offer any fatherly advice since I'm not their Dad.
And I'm not. But the difference is that I chose this life I didn't walk away because my wife had kids that aren't mine. I knew that if I was to date my now wife I would have to develop a relatationship with her girls. My wife and her children were a package deal and so I chose to be a step dad. But I didn't chose to love them, that came from getting to know these girls and my wife. The love came naturally and effortlessly.
I know I'm not their dad but I am their stepdad which to me means I have all the responsibility of a dad/parent with little to none authority. I have never tried to replace their dad and I've been good about making sure they get their supervised visitations with him for their sake, not his.
We live in a ward that encompasses many families that know my wife and step kids from years ago when my wife was married to their father who was also well known in the ward.
Many of them have been passive aggressive and made snarky comments around and to my wife about all manner of evil they have heard and if they've heard it from her ex-husband and his family it must be true.
But that's par for the course on any divorced couple but how that behavior and words fall in line with being Christ-like I'll never know.
And being put down for being a blended family because your family isn't the ideal can be enough to push blended families out of church all together. Judgment and passive aggression doesn't bring anyone closer to God.
But love, acceptance and understanding will.
But what moves me most is having one of my step kids, the youngest at 12, asked me to adopt her because, to me, having her want to be legally family. That's as close as we can get to her being "my kid or my family."
She's is choosing to be my family rather than just going along with the flow.
It's also indicative of the impact I've had on her and it shows me just how closely we've bonded.
We may be a blended family but we are still a family. We've fought, we've celebrated, we've mourned together and we've made a life together. 
We've become a family over time and through shared experiences.
My wife had a hysterectomy after we were married so now I treasure these girls even more because these are the only children I will ever have and so I treasure them all the more.
When Jesus called His disciples He knew who to choose and He chose wisely but He did not choose men who were all the same. He set out to form a family of men, brothers in Christ. 
So He chose very different but ordinary men and the differences helped turn these men from strangers into brothers, brothers in Christ as I said before.
 They bonded as a blended family bonds, through times and shared experiences no one else could relate to.  And here is a brief bio on each of the 12 disciples:

"Simon Peter - one of the first of the 12 to be called by Jesus. He was in the "inner circle" of disciples - "Peter, James, and John" and was regarded as the leader of the disciples after Christ. He was a fisherman as were James and John from the area around Beth-Saida on the sea of Galilee. He took the lead on the day of Pentecost when 3,000 Jews were converted to Christianity. He was also involved in the first conversion of Gentiles to the Gospel (Acts 10) and played a key role in the differentiation of Christianity from Judaism at the Jerusalem conference in Acts 15. He wrote 1 Peter and 2 Peter and tradition has it that he was executed in Rome not too long after Paul's execution by Nero.

Andrew (Peter's brother) - Not too much has been written about Andrew. He was a fisherman like his brother, Peter and a disciple of John the Baptist until he was directed to Jesus by John. Andrew introduced Peter to the Lord.

James (son of Zebedee) - James was the elder brother of the apostle John (writer of the gospel and letters). Interestingly, while he was alive, he was more influential than John. He was always mentioned before his brother and just after Peter. I believe that he wrote the epistle of James, usually attributed to James, the Lord's brother, in response to the death of Stephen recorded in Acts 7 and that's why Herod had him killed. (note the scathing attacks in that letter on the rich and powerful persecutors).

John (James' brother) - An early disciple, younger brother of James and friend and co-worker of Peter and Andrew. He wrote the Gospel of John, the 3 epistles which bear his name and the book of Revelation and so, in the end, became the most influential of all the apostles. John's brother, James, was the first apostle to die but John was the last. He died in Ephesus about A.D. 100 at a good old age. He was the only apostle not to have died a violent death. The ones we don't know about from scripture, we are told about in the early church writings. For a time he was exiled by the Emperor Domitian to the island of Patmos off the coast of present-day Turkey and while there wrote the book of Revelation.

Philip - He was the brother of Andrew and Peter and an early disciple of John the Baptist. In John 1:43-45, after being directed by John the Baptist to Jesus, he brought Andrew to the Lord. Philip the Apostle is not the same person as Philip the Evangelist who appears in Acts. (See Acts 8).

Bartholomew (same as Nathanel) - Not much is known about him. He is mentioned in Mt 10:3, Mk 3:18, Lk 6:14, and Acts 1:13 but only by name. In John, in 1:45-51 we get a better glimpse of him. What would any of us give to have the Lord say of us as he did of Nathanel "Behold an Israelite indeed in whom there is no guile!" He was from Cana in Galilee and it may have been at his house where the wedding was held at which Jesus turned the water into wine.

Thomas - We know almost nothing about Thomas except that his name means "twin" in Aramaic. He is sometimes called "Didymus" which means "twin" in Greek. The incident in John 20:24-29 is where he earns his nickname "doubting Thomas" when he had to touch the wounds of the Lord before he would believe that he had truly risen from the dead.

Matthew (the tax collector) -Surprisingly little is know about Matthew other than the fact that he was a tax collector (perhaps a friend or even an employee of Zaccheus?). He was the brother of James, son of Alphaeus. He wrote the gospel of Matthew.

James (son of Alphaeus) - He has been called "James the less" to differentiate him from James the son of Zebedee. Mark 15:40. He is mentioned in Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13

Thaddaeus - He is "Jude" and is also called "Lebbaeus". See Luke 6:16; John 14:22; Acts 1:13;As Lebbaeus Matthew 10:3;As Thaddeus Mattthew 10:3; Mark 3:18. As another son of Alphaeus perhaps? He is referred to as "the brother of James." See Jude 1 - is he the writer of this epistle? I think so.

Simon the Zealot - The Zealots were a terrorist group bent on freeing Judea from the Romans. In Christ, Simon found his true Liberator. Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13 He is also called "the Canaanite" another name for the same terrorist organization.

Judas Iscariot* - The surname "Iscariot" could mean "of the dagger" and indicates that he might have been an assassin before coming to Jesus. The surname could also mean "Man of Kerioth" in southern Judea and so, the only one of the Apostles not from Galilee. What do we know of him? He was a thief. He betrayed Jesus and when he repented of his sin, he went back to his partners in crime to set things straight instead of to the Lord. There was no help for him there and he hanged himself. Matthew 10:4; 26:14-27; Mark 3:19; 14:10, 43; Luke 6:16; 22:3-48; John 6:71; 12:4 13:2-29

Provided by Mike LeDuke at http://www.thisisyourbible.com"
The original Apostles became a family too I think. Ask any military vetran and they can testify that there are brothers by blood and then there are brothers by bond.
Blended families like mine are not biologically family but we are families by choice and by bond. But family is family so I see no reason to be dismissive of or to lessen the legitamacy of a blended familys bond.
Perhaps I view this all differently is because my parents divorced when I was 3 and I was raised by my mom and then step dad Greg. He and my mom had my brother Preston then my mom and Greg divorced and a few years later my mom married Lyle and had my brothers Kelby and Drew.
I have never refered to any of them as my half brothers, they are my brothers.
I think the reason I am as good a step dad as I've been is that I learned from watching Lyle do it. So blended families are normal to me and as legitimate as the ideal LDS family. 
Blended families or the LDS ideal, family is family.
My family was not religious or I should say my mother and her side of the family but my dads side was Lds. So I grew up seeing two different worlds and how things are done not just in non-LDS families and non-religious but families of other faiths as well.
Family can be by blood or by bond but family is family and it is the foundation of society.

Pay It Forward

This link shows a video of two homeless men arm wrestling for 100 dollars.  But then the winner gives one of his fifty dollar bills to the man who lost.  Right off the top he shares what little he has.  I say little because who knows how long he will have to go on that money, yet he still shared with his opponent.

And this link shows an experiment wherein two monkeys are given unequal treats and how that monkey, who received a lesser treat responds seems almost human.

It seems as though those with less give more and those with more give less or not at all.  Here's Jesus' take on those who value possessions more than anything else.

16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Matthew 19:16-24

This rich man valued his possessions more than following Christ and so he left, sad but he left because he would rather have all his stuff than give it up and live without possessions or a home as did Christ and His disciples.


19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:19-21

I think what Jesus means is that what you value holds your heart so if you value possessions then that's where your heart will be and inevitably possessions and looks will fade or disappear and your heart with it.

But no one can take away your relationship with God, the only person even capable of corrupting that relationship is you.  It will last forever.  I think sometimes people are treated as possessions and possessions as people.

It's not evil to have or enjoy nice things but when you treasure them above your relationships with friends and family or your relationship with Christ then there is an issue.

I have had a hard time making ends meet over the years and if it weren't for the kindness an charity of others I would not have made it through. I would have been homeless too. And rather than pay it back I've been told to pay it forward and when I have I have asked that mine and my wife's kindness be paid forward when they get the chance and that is more rewarding than being paid back I feel.


40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Matthew 5:40-42

Yes I believe Jesus was being metaphorical but I do also believe He was being literal as well. It is possible to buy a new car or a new home but one cannot buy a sincere relationship with others or with God.  That takes heart not money.  Having heart and treasuring friends and family and God over the material possessions of the world is a better way of living.  Paying kindness back but also forward is how so many of us are inspired and lifted up day to day.  I just feel like that's a better way.

Great Pioneers

Pioneers are remembered for their work ethic, their hope and faith, and they are known for their dedication to the ideal that their destination would offer them a better life, better opportunities for themselves and their families.
Many children made the journey alone or with other children, unaccompanied by adults. We all have respect for these Pioneers and the struggles they faced and prevailed against.
So one would think that when other people travel hundreds of miles, families and unaccompanied children make similar sacrifices that they would recieve the same regards from a people who owe their heritage to a similar perseverance, dedication, hope and faith not only in God but that the land of prosperity they sought would offer them a better way of life, that they would finally know true freedom.
But that is not the case because this second wave of Pioneers happen to be refugees from Central American countries and they are at the journey end of hundreds of miles they find outright hate and contempt.
There's no more " Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she

With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

No, instead a recent poll finds 53% of Americans believe US has no moral obligation to offer asylum to people who escape violence or political persecution.
The nation built by illegal immigrants is now turning away not just immigrants but Pioneer tested refugees. They met with challenges similar to our Pioneer ancestors and are treated like garbage by people who consider a fertilized egg as a person but not a refugee or immigrant.
But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 19:14
Unless those children are refugees or immigrants that is.
When faced with political challenges it may be considered toxic to mix religion and politics. But if our religion is based on being as Christ-like as possible isn't it appropriate to choose to be as welcoming, as inclusive and as compassionate as Christ was Himself?
Here's a passage of scripture as an example of Christ-like behaviors:

31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Matthew 25:31-46

Now how does this standard of conduct measure up to how we as a people seem to currently display? There's room for improvement and that will never happen without action. Even if you can't seem to find another person who fits the bill as Christ-like you can always be that person if you so choose. And even one person can change the world.

Jesus At The Temple

Jesus went to the Temple at age 12 and stayed there teaching the elders and they were astonished at His wisdom.

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. Luke 2:41-52

It is easy to say that, in this case, because it was Jesus it is clear that He knew more than any other. But I think the larger point, at least for me, is that even a child has something to teach. Truth can come from the most unlikely of sources.

My wife spent 5 years working at Primary Children's and she said she learned something about life everyday from the kids she met. Like 15 year olds with stage 4 cancer or 9 year olds with lymphoma. Kids who were fighting for their lives and many of those kids lost their battles with cancer and other maladies.

The insights of dying children are as incredible as any insights I've ever come across. They were strong when their bodies were weak.

Part of learning means that we stop assuming we already know "enough" that we have nothing left to learn and that we can't possibly learn from this source or that or this person or that person.

Truth can come from the most unlikely of sources and we must connect rather than disconnect in order to keep learning and growing. The most important thing in life to do is to continue to learn so that we can grow throughout the course of our lives.

Rock Waterman: Faithful Dissident

Rock Waterman now has a book out and it's available on kindle, through Amazon and createspace.  It's called "What to expect when you're being excommunicated."

Rock is a good friend of mine and I'm blessed to have such a caring, loyal friend who has always been there for me regardless of the circumstances.  He's always been there when I needed someone and for that I am eternally grateful. I've told him about my health issues and he's never once judged me for that and he still sees me as being credible.

I have learned so much from him, about writing, blogging, Mormon history, general history, how to be a better man and husband and, by example, how to be a better friend. I remember when I was having marital difficulties he said "Well Dan, you and your wife can fight for each other or you can fight with each other but you can only ever do one of those." It really did help and it still helps me.

Rock does strike me as the kind of man who has many Christlike qualities, He's honest with you so you always know where you stand.  He doesn't say it (or write it) if he doesn't mean it.  He's empathetic, he tries to understand peoples stories and where they're coming from and why they are the way they are. In other words he is understanding without being judgmental.

Rock often talks about Christ-consciousness, meaning that you look at the world the Christ's eyes and sensibilities.  You look at others and see the image of God they were made in, you see a son or daughter of God who you knew well and loved in the pre-existence.

 Rock really does strike me as the kind of person who will and has performed many of the following services to many people, he does it routinely in fact:


When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal." Matthew 25:31

These are the teachings of Christ that I have been able to understand in a modern context because of my friendship with Rock. I am grateful to call him a friend.  I have learned a lot and my spiritual growth owes much to his talk of Christ-consciousness.

Rock is a dissident but he is also faithful to the word of God as he understands it. 

Follow The Prophet

I wish to impart one of my favorite Brigham Young quotes.  It is found in the Journal of Discourses which doesn't get the attention I think it deserves.

"I wish to notice this. We read in the Bible that there is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars. In the book of Doctrine and Covenants, the glories are called telestial, terrestrial, and celestial, which is the highest. These are worlds, different departments or mansions, in our Father's house. Now those men, or those women, who know no more about the power of God, and the influence of the Holy Spirit, than to be led entirely by another person, suspending their own understanding, and pinning their fate upon anothers sleeve, will never be capable of entering into the celestial glory, to be crowned as they anticipate; they will never be capable of becoming Gods. They cannot rule themselves to say nothing of ruling others, but they must be dictated to in every trifle, like a child. They cannot control themselves in the least, but James, Peter or somebody else must control them. They never can become Gods, nor be crowned as rulers with glory, immortality, and eternal lives. They never can hold scepters of glory, majesty, and power in the celestial kingdom. Who will? Those who are valiant and inspired with the true independence of heaven, who will go forth boldly in the service of their God, leaving others to do as they please, determined to do right, though all mankind besides should take the opposite course. Will this apply to any of you? Your own hearts can answer. " -Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol 1, p 312.

I like that the emphasis is on listening to the spirit and the warning is about following others blindly.  That seems to be a lesson sorely needed in these latter days.

But while we're on the subject of Brigham Young, let's look at his teachings regarding race and the priesthood. Brigham Young laid out a very specific doctrine regarding why Blacks were unworthy of the priesthood and Temple rites.  Yet not long ago the Church released an award winning essay on race and the priesthood detailing the current view of such teachings.  In the end the consensus seems to be that it was an incorrect teaching.  Or in other words, a false teaching, in this specific area.

So if we are to follow the prophet then do we open ourselves up to subscribing to teachings that in 3 or 4 generations will be widely considered incorrect, as we now view the curse of Cain doctrine of Brigham Young and many generations of Mormons?

Let's examine another quote:

We have heard men who hold the priesthood remark that they would do anything they were told to do by those who preside over them even if they knew it was wrong; but such obedience is worse than folly to us; it is slavery in the extreme; and the man who would thus willingly degrade himself, should not claim a rank among intelligent beings, until he turns from his folly. A man of God would despise the idea. Others, in the extreme exercise of their almighty authority have taught that such obedience was necessary, and that no matter what the saints were told to do by their presidents, they should do it without any questions. When Elders of Israel will so far indulge in these extreme notions of obedience as to teach them to the people, it is generally because they have it in their hearts to do wrong themselves." (Joseph Smith, Millennial Star, Volume 14, No. 38, Pages 593-595).

Joseph Smith himself seems to have taught the opposite of blind obedience.  Moreover, just as scripture warns against relying on the arm of the flesh, Joseph Smith warns against the folly of blind obedience saying that "A man of God would despise the idea" and Brigham Young also states that one must rely on the spirit to guide you, to confirm or deny the truth or untruth of statements made by any man regardless of standing in the church.  In fact, Joseph Smith taught that Mormonism is about seeking for truth wherever we find it.

One of the grand fundamental principles of Mormonism is to receive truth, let it come from whence it may.  Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 199

I think it is wise to focus on what Jesus Christ said and did and receive all else through the lens by which Christ ed His life and ministry.  He is after all the head of our church, the current leaders and in fact every leader since Christ has been by His proxy.

I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with senses, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use and by some other means to give us knowledge which we can attain by them. Galileo

I also do not believe we were ever intended by our creator to forgo some of the best attributes humanity has to offer but I do believe the Holy Spirit ought to be our dearest friend, guide and confidant.

“...while all members should respect, support, and heed the teachings of the authorities of the church, no one should accept a statement and base his or her testimony upon it, no matter who makes it, until he or she has, under mature examination, found it to be true and worthwhile; then one’s logical deductions may be confirmed by the spirit of revelation to his or her spirit, because real conversion must come from within” ((Hugh B. Brown, An Abundant Life: The Memoirs of Hugh B. Brown, ed. Edwin B. Firmage [Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1999], 140).


What I take from this is simply that regardless of what is said or who said it we are best served to pray and meditate upon what has been said.  Inside and outside of church life I feel that this is great advice.


What I think is relevant from Christ is the idea of "Seek and ye shall find.  Knock and it shall be opened up to you."


To make this practical I think we must use all of our intellect, reason aided by the Holy Spirit to discover the truth in any arena of life we chose to investigate.  Jesus told this to His own followers who had accepted His origins and His teachings.  He still instructed them to seek.  We will likely seek all of our lives and never be bored if we continue to learn.


When we feel that we know enough and stop seeking and searching then I think nothing but troubles await us.  We are advised by our Savior to seek and seek we should.