How can we effectively fight oppression and privilege?

I am a student in a masters of social work program.  I am clearly the oldest student in our cohort.  I received my bachelor's degree way back in the 70's during the time when the "New Morality" was at its heyday.   I have almost completed my first year.

Walking the halls of my graduate school

We are studying oppression, racism and privilege.  It is sobering.  I am also saddened by how oppressed groups are currently being treated in America.  I wrote the following post to my teacher.  We have to respond to what we are learning and how it applies to us. 

I have enjoyed the readings and the discussions in class about oppression, racism and privilege.  I especially liked a student's comment about the black man’s experience of looking down at his newborn and knowing for the first time he was being looked at without being seen as a black man, just a man.  So much of how we see the world is socially constructed.  Being a sociology major, over forty years ago, helps me look through different, but still yet incomplete, lenses ever since.   One of my favorite readings was about the woman who was Latina, but didn’t have the same experience of other Latinas because she was white.    How can we improve upon the accepted solution, as seen by most, written by Peggy McIntosh that our work simply consists of interventions that “will allow ‘them’ to be more like ‘us’?”   I don’t know what the “silver bullet” is, but my faith tells me that if I am humble, God will help me know what my part is, what I can do to help.   The answer, however, is not to behave oppressively toward the privileged, but we must fight oppression.  The “What’s in it for Us” article reminds me of a poem I wrote entitled “What’s in it for me?”, decades ago.  The last stanzas are as follows:

What’s in it for me, what’s in it for me”?

Love, joy and peace through giving and growing

and enduring it well;

Through patience and faith in His presence

we’ll dwell.

Why can’t they see, surely, they must,

that they have been given a high sacred trust

to tend this earth, to care, to grow,

to realize they’ll reap just as they sow.

One day we’ll hear them weep, wail and cry:

“That’s what was in it for me, O Lord, O Lord,

“Why couldn’t I see!

“Why didn’t you tell me?

“Why didn’t you scold?”

“I did, I did!  But your hearts were so cold!

Your eyes were open but you just wouldn’t see

that what you have done unto others,’

Ye have done unto Me.

I think that Melba Pattillo Beals’ book, “Warriors Don’t Cry”, should be required reading.  I have never read anything that better helped me understand what blacks in America have gone through, and yet go through, than this book.  Additionally, I have never read anything that so perfectly demonstrates how to fight oppression.   It was a combination of assertiveness, determination and dignity, made possible as they relied upon a higher power for their marching orders.   Vicki Robinson

That was my post.   Sidenote:   I had addressed my desire to clean up language in our classroom, a few weeks prior.  Definitely not a popular move on my part.  But the teacher responded by asking the class to refrain from using a particular word, you know the one that is still considered to be the most vulgar in the English language, but is increasingly becoming the universal modifier for every emotion ranging from joy and wonder to disdain and disgust. 

But far worse than language is the belief that some people are unworthy of regard.   It produces behavior unbecoming of a Saint.  

Mothering, Not Just a Passing Fancy

Shanelle and Craig playing Mary and Joseph

We have a family Christmas tradition that I love.  While we always have the children act out the manger scene at Christmas.  We also get to visit with the "adult" members of that original cast and get to know them better.  We take time to consider what they must have done to prepare themselves to receive the Savior.  For example, it is unthinkable to me that Mary was wholly unfamiliar with spiritual experience until that moment she was greeted by the angel Gabriel.  If you consider the words in Luke, she was not surprised at seeing an angel, but rather what manner of salutation he gave her.  And I believe that Joseph, who after learning that his beloved fiancé was with child, would not have been able to rely upon the content of a dream to marry her and support her for the rest of her mortal life, if he didn't already possess the ability to discern between a meaningful dream and one that was not.  I also think the story of Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist and Zacharias, his father, teaches us much.  Nothing in society confirmed a woman's worthiness in that society than her ability to bear children and nothing brought them greater sadness than to be barren.  It was no accident that this was the test of so many great women of the bible and is likewise a test for women today.  Elisabeth's story also confirms the importance of women gathering with women of like faith.

Missy and Brett playing Elisabeth and Zac

Consider, Hannah, the mother of Samuel, Sarah, the mother of Isaac, and Rachel, the mother of Joseph.  Often the Lord would seal up the womb of a woman to open it in a miraculous manner.  The Wise Men, when interviewed, shared how they were considered among the elite of society and yet, nothing was more important to them than meeting their Lord and Savior.  The Shepherds, considered the very bottom of society, did not let their low station prevent them from broadcasting the news of the birth of the Savior.  

After meeting our biblical guests, we discuss as a family the question of what are we doing to be prepared for His coming?   The biggest take away from our portrayal of the Savior's birth is always the words expressed by Mary as recorded in Luke 1:37, "And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word."  LDS doctrine promotes that all individuals have a mission in mortality that is specific to them.  I love the way that Neal A Maxwell, explained it:  "It does no violence to our frail human logic to observe that there cannot be a grand plan of salvation for all mankind, unless there is also one for each individual, (A More Determined Discipleship, February Ensign 1979)." 

While, we each have a mission to fulfill, we also believe that part of that mission as a people, is to individually promote the importance of child bearing and rearing.  I had one of those days earlier this week where I wondered if I had done any good in the world.  I considered my efforts to share my thoughts in written form such as in this blog and in books I have coauthored, or about my efforts to share my thoughts about the role of women verbally, as a guest speaker or church instructor throughout the years, and finally, about my efforts to strengthen families professionally in working with children and families at risk since 2007.  I had no tangible evidence that I have made any difference at all in the lives of those whom I have tried to positively influence.  But, what I realized this morning was that the best decision I ever made was to involve the Lord in my decision of who to marry.  Subsequent vitally important decisions made together as husband and wife included when and how many children we would have and the decision to read to them daily from the scriptures.  Our hope was that we would introduce them to the One, who had all the answers to the questions they would have.  In 1977, eleven months after we married, we had our first child and I quit working.  In 1999, we had our last child.  The surprise wasn't that we were suddenly pregnant in our later forties, but that we had multiple witnesses that we were to bear once again. 

Alyse, our youngest daughter, born when I was 46 and my husband, 49

So my advice?  Involve the Lord in your decisions regarding the bearing and rearing of children.  I see a trend within the world today of marrying older, waiting to bear children and having fewer children.  This is the case even among Latter-day Saint women.  My question is, what has more power to positively influence the world in which we live?   Is it to go out and do something amazing or is it to rear and teach children that can influence the world for generations to come?

I have seen many who women who want more.  In my graduate class this week, I heard a woman say exactly that.  "I didn't want to just be a wife and a mother, I wanted more."   While women have always been encouraged to be among those who serve and serve diligently, the question is not whether to serve, but how and in what manner.  That picture often changes depending upon our age and circumstance.  My mother-in-law served so many within her area and community, but she was quick to add that when you are in the hot and heavy of child rearing, you are not expected to neglect your children or families to serve others in large and time consuming ways.  I have seen many young mothers engage in sports and home businesses that do compete with their thoughts, focus and energies.  I have seen while investigating child abuse that supervision is key for children of any age.  President Kimball's counsel to be at the crossroads, is still excellent advice.  Other women are sometimes enticed by health pursuits, fitness regimens, energy healings, use of "mediums", and other practices that eventually require large amounts of time and often money to sustain, that often take them out of the home in order to be "successful" and get others likewise involved.  Some of those mediums can include therapists, in all their varieties, or a physician who can offer tranquility in a pill.  There is a place for some regimens, interventions and fields of practice and many have been inspired to find relief in a variety of places, but at other times we find ourselves described by Paul in 1st Timothy, chapter 4:  "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; . . . Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth, . . .But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.  For bodily exercise profiteth little; but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come."

How do we know if we are making spiritual progress or not, whether you have gone beyond the mark or not in some things?  Consider the advice of Alma to his son:  "And now, my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a "shadow; for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were temporal) they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual.  For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land.  And now I say, is there not a type in this thing?  For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise," (Alma 37:43-45).

I may appear as a pot calling the kettle black.  Especially as I have worked outside of the home for almost 10 years now, and am now attending a graduate school of social work.  I even exercise for 15 minutes a day.  But, the best decision, I ever made was to spend 30 years outside of the workforce, in the home with my children.  I feel I have been blessed to be able to do things now that I thought I was forever giving up at the time.  The miracle is that you aren't ever penalized for putting first things first and that will be determined between you and the Lord.  I am still learning that all important lesson and need daily reminders.  Too often I engage in my own agenda and not His.  I was greatly influenced by the words of President Benson in his address:  To the Mothers in Zion, delivered on February 22, 1987. http://emp.byui.edu/SATTERFIELDB/PDF/ToMothersofZion.pdf   For the most part, he quoted prophets who preceded him.  We live in an age when we sometimes think any sacrifice or any good work will do.  But that philosophy is negated by the first family on earth.  Their sacrifices were to be of a specific nature.  I believe it is the same for us today.     
 

Looking Ahead to a New Year

Christmas is now behind us and a new year is before us.  We have a new president.  My major in college was sociology and I am currently finishing my MSW degree.  I love to sit back at times and just observe and consider how we and others about us get into the circumstances we find ourselves.  Being older has its advantages.  We have watched pendulums swing one way and then another.  I even had the advantage of having older parents who lived through the depression and world wars.  My mother’s bottom drawer was filled with panty hose until her dying day because nylon was scarce during hard times.  She always kept a small wad of cash in another drawer in case banks folded once again.  My father was born in 1905 and my mother in 1912. 

Many people are upset because Trump is now president.  I think it was fear on the part of many that got him elected and that it is fear that is currently causing others’ hearts to faint because he was elected.   The consistency I see is that too many Americans feel at the mercy of others’ actions.  The sad part is that reacting to our fears never produces the best behaviors.   LDS scriptures indicate that fear is sinful and that despair is the fruit of iniquity, (Moroni, 10:22).   Both despair and fear are the antithesis of faith.  Those who are familiar with scriptures in the Bible and the Book of Mormon will see that prophecy is being fulfilled, (Mormon chapter 8).  It really shouldn’t surprise us all that much.  But, clearly, we do need to get our bearings and decide what are our best courses of action. 

One course of action is to teach children positive values and the importance of education.

 Again, I turn to my religious beliefs and what I believe is sound doctrine to help me go forward in faith.  Much in LDS doctrine establishes that America is a promised land.  It was foretold that it would be a great nation, but it was also foretold that it would reach a point of pride and arrogance, and a general abandonment of righteous values.  The Book of Mormon prophets and Jesus Christ all admonished saints to be very familiar with the writings of Isaiah, for that which had been would be repeated.  Isaiah teaches of a nation that was quite arrogant and powerful and felt it would always reign supreme, but history proved its vulnerability.   I think the modern-day equivalent of that nation is America.   Leviticus warns about what happens to a promised land when it abandons the sanctity of the Sabbath Day, worships idols and abandons moral standards, (see Leviticus chapter 26).

Gathering with family both for fun and mutual edification can increase our hope in things to come.

The reason that the “gospel” is good news, (which is the literal mean of the word), is that no one can prevent you from being righteous and passing your life’s test, not even Donald Trump, nor a Hillary Clinton, should she have been elected.  The fact that we have illegal immigrants in America does not weaken it, nor does the fact that ISIS is growing in strength and power, make us vulnerable.  But, ISIS may be the ax that brings us to our knees.  The problem is that we, as individuals, have lost the art of connecting to heaven and learning the real purpose of life.   We desperately need that personal connection to God, coupled with a desire to know what is true and how God would have us behave and what we should do at this hour.  I personally don’t think it is to picket the Tabernacle Choir for singing at the inauguration.   While I didn’t vote for Trump, nor Hillary, I still planned on being law abiding, informed and involved in the political process, regardless of the outcome of the election.   I think it is the adversary who fosters despair, intolerance and a general lack of civility, both within families and toward society at large. 

Let it begin with me.  I can be kinder, more deliberate and prayerful and if I do that, I will be at peace.  Let us remember the Prince of Peace who relied upon His Father for direction.  We need not only follow his example in what He did, but how He got his errand.   Everyone is capable of change and growth, including me. 

And Daily in the temple and in every house they ceased not to preach and teach Jesus Christ

Acts 5:42

My thoughts about immigration. It isn't as cut and dry as many suppose. One LDS perspective.

In light of our recent election, I thought it might be interesting to those unfamiliar to LDS doctrine to know how the Book of Mormon came to be and who we believe the ancient inhabitants of North and South America were at the time of Christ’s resurrection.    We believe that Christ visited the American continent after his resurrection.  Christ, after his resurrection, had shared with his apostles in Jerusalem that he had other sheep, which were not of that fold, with whom he would soon visit.

 John 10:16, “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. 

Latter-day Saints believe that Christ came here to this, the American continent, and visited the Lamanites and Nephites who originated in Israel.  We believe a man, Lehi, and his family and some close associates crossed the ocean and landed in the Americas.   We believe that he was a prophet who, among many, raised a warning voice about the need for repentance or they would be destroyed by their enemies.  After raising that warning voice, they traveled in the wilderness and eventually built a boat and came to what we believe to be a promised land. They kept a record of their history and passed it on from generation to generation.  That record, abridged by one of their prophets, Mormon, was the book that Joseph Smith was led to by divine revelation.  This book would become a second witness of Christ.  We believe this group of people had prophets among them, that let them know of Jesus Christ who would come to earth following his resurrection and that He would visit this righteous branch of Israelites, who were descendants of Joseph, one of the sons of Jacob.  We believe Christ did come and while he was here, he established more fully his doctrine and he gave them this land for their inheritance, the whole of North, Central and South America.  He then explained what would befall them until He would come again in the last days.  He explained that they would be dispersed by a Gentile nation.  The definition of a gentile nation according the LDS bible dictionary explains why America is considered a gentile nation in the Book of Mormon. 

Immigrants, starting with the discovery of America by Columbus, committed many vile acts against the original inhabitants of North, Central and South America.  In North America they were often forced to live on the most undesirable of lands.  Even in modern history the dispersion continues.    As our economy expanded we needed immigrants to work at jobs that Americans couldn’t or wouldn’t fill and so allowed immigrants from Mexico, Central and South America to come here to work.  We turned a blind eye to the fact that many came without visas because we enjoyed the cheap labor and resultant low price for goods and services.  Up to the present day, they continue to be seen in the most negative of postures.   Contrary to popular beliefs, even undocumented workers pay taxes more than they ever receive in benefits from the government.  Our government counts on funds they provide, which exceed $5 billion dollars a year to the social security fund alone, even though undocumented immigrants will never draw from it.

It is popular to believe that society spends lots of money on them for social services and that they are the major source of our crime element.  If you take time to actually look at the statistics you will find that immigrants, both legal and illegal, have a lower rate of crime than the rest of the population.  Much of our industry, even here in Utah, depends on them to survive.  Those immigrants I know personally have strong family values and good work ethics.  Many of them who live in the shadows were brought her as small children and don’t even speak Spanish well.  Often they don’t even know they aren’t legal until they try to get a driver’s license, a job when they turn 16 or they try to enter college. 

It is easy to say that they should just do things legally and they would if there were actually a way that they could do it but current law requires that they leave the country, friends and family and then wait a minimum of 10 years before they can apply for an immigrant visa.

The following article explains some of the difficulties they face. 

https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/addressing-common-questions-immigration

President Obama did many things that I didn’t agree with, but one thing he did do that was humane and much needed was implement DACA.  This program allows certain youth to come out of the shadows by going through a criminal background check and getting identified so that they are able to attend school and work for a period of two years while we wait on Congress to reform our immigration laws.  DACA does not give legal residency, much less citizenship, it just allows those who are already here, through no act of their own, to work legally so they can provide for themselves and their families while we wait on Congress to act. 

The only way that some other undocumented immigrants can stay here legally is to first be the victim of a qualified crime, which if they report and cooperate with authorities they are able to get a work visa for 4 years.  After 3 years they can apply for residency if they maintain a clean record and meet certain other requirements.  Congress passed this law as a matter of public policy because it recognized that the undocumented community would not come forward to help apprehend criminals if they thought they would be deported.  Thus, crimes went unreported and the perpetrators were free to commit other crimes against the community as a whole.

There is another program that allows undocumented immigrants a “Waiver” for having entered and remained in this country for more than a year without permission but first they must leave the country for an interview in their country of origin.  When they leave they are immediately subject to a 10 year bar wherein they cannot apply for a resident visa.  Obtaining a waiver is the only way to avoid that 10 year bar.  To get the waiver they need to show extreme hardship for a qualifying family member if the waiver is not granted.  Being separated from your family for 10 years is not considered an “extreme hardship” according to immigration laws.  Doing things “legally” is easy to say but actually doing it is something else entirely.  If you were born in Mexico, Central or South American and your very survival and that of your family depended on your taking great risks to come to this country to avoid starvation or death, would you take those risks?  If you were brought here as a child and grew up here would you want to be forced to leave and return to your country of birth, whose language and culture you aren’t familiar with, and where you have no family? 

Consider the words of Christ as contained in the following scriptures in 3 Nephi, one of the books of the Book of Mormon.  

 10 And it came to pass that when they had all given glory unto Jesus, he said unto them: Behold now I finish the commandment which the Father hath commanded me concerning this people, who are a remnant of the house of Israel.

 11 Ye remember that I spake unto you, and said that when the words of Isaiah should be fulfilled—behold they are written, ye have them before you, therefore search them—

 12 And verily, verily, I say unto you, that when they shall be fulfilled then is the fulfilling of the covenant which the Father hath made unto his people, O house of Israel.

 13 And then shall the remnants, which shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the earth, be gathered in from the east and from the west, and from the south and from the north; and they shall be brought to the knowledge of the Lord their God, who hath redeemed them.

 14 And the Father hath commanded me that I should give unto you this land, for your inheritance.

 15 And I say unto you, that if the Gentiles do not repent after the blessing which they shall receive, after they have scattered my people—

 16 Then shall ye, who are a remnant of the house of Jacob, go forth among them; and ye shall be in the midst of them who shall be many; and ye shall be among them as a lion among the beasts of the forest, and as a young lion among the flocks of sheep, who, if he goeth through both treadeth down and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.

 17 Thy hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off.

 18 And I will gather my people together as a man gathereth his sheaves into the floor.

 19 For I will make my people with whom the Father hath covenanted, yea, I will make thy horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass. And thou shalt beat in pieces many people; and I will consecrate their gain unto the Lord, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth. And behold, I am he who doeth it.

 20 And it shall come to pass, saith the Father, that the sword of my justice shall hang over them at that day; and except they repent it shall fall upon them, saith the Father, yea, even upon all the nations of the Gentiles.

 21 And it shall come to pass that I will establish my people, O house of Israel.

 22 And behold, this people will I establish in this land, unto the fulfilling of the covenant which I made with your father Jacob; and it shall be a New Jerusalem. And the powers of heaven shall be in the midst of this people; yea, even I will be in the midst of you.

These scriptures describe that these descendants of Jacob, those Lamanites who were scattered by our ancestors and we are oppressing once again, these same people were given this land as commanded by God, see verse 14.  So many of these people are being gathered and told who they are.  These are those who we are told by prophecy shall be gathered and blossom as a rose.   They are a part of your future if you intend to be a Zion people. 

Even Senator Sanderson, who was responsible for tougher laws against immigrants here in Utah has since repented of his posture.  Once he actually met with and got to know some young people who were brought here as children he realized that something needed to be done to provide a way for them to adjust their status and remain in this country legally. 

Maybe it is because I am not perfect and know I have need of repentance that my heart fills with compassion towards immigrants.  I know many of them personally and they are among the finest people that I know.  I support the posture the LDS Church takes which is to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to save souls.  They look upon undocumented immigrants with compassion, send them on missions and give them positions of responsibility within the church.  It is time for our government to take the same posture and to provide a way for undocumented workers to come out of the shadows, to treat them with dignity and to provide them with a reasonable path to become legal residents so that they can more fully participate in society and contribute to this country that they love.   To discount a significant population, that by in large has no legal or feasible avenue to citizenship, who actually contribute far more than they take away from our society, who we believe were the original inhabitants of North and Central America and have a prophesied major role in the establishment of Zion, does not seem charitable.

What does their future look like?

 

 

 

Many people were sad about our two main contenders for President of the United States.  There was something that concerned me more, it was the parties, made up of individuals, who chose them.  It concerns me that there are men and women who call themselves moral who rallied behind individuals that they knew were questionable in either their ethics or behaviors, in an effort to protect their political own interests and agendas. 
 

The election is over and where do we go from here?
 

I want to be law abiding and go forward in faith.  I will try to be more informed and let my thoughts be known to my elected representatives.  I will get involved.  I will seek to keep the Sabbath Day Holy and prepare myself to be more worthy to hear and discern the voice of the Spirit of Truth.  I will try to be just and true, and sensitive to the downtrodden.  I will do my part to make a better America.  I will teach my children truth.  We will read scriptures at night and discuss them during the day.  We will seek to not watch television that is unwholesome, even if that means not watching television.  We will not view unwholesome media or listen to music that fosters sexual impurity, drugs, lust or vigilantism.   We will seek to repent of our own pettiness, our own selfishness and our own sins. We will dress modestly and we will pray as a family and if we do these things, I believe we will be okay.   

We may eventually have war at our own front door.  We may become victims to terrorists or to gangs, but we don’t have to be like them.  We can believe that there are things worse than death, because we believe in life after death and a Creator who has the power to redeem the repentant.  This is a great time to be the best we can be.  This is a great time to set our hearts and homes in order.      

Oh, no! Not another Mom Letter!



MOM LETTERS
Mom letters are infamous in my home.  I maintain I send them just to share what I think I have been learning, but the recipients often see them as a forum for sharing what I think they are not doing or could be doing better, a written form of a "come to Jesus" meeting.  If they would read them a little more carefully, they contain things I want to do better.  Sharing our thoughts in written form is a great mental exercise and is most valuable, not for the recipients, (our children and spouses), but for the person writing them!   If people waited until they were perfect at understanding and implementing truth, we would have no scriptures and no novels. A mom letter is also an invitation to write back and share what they have been learning. 

WOMEN NEED OTHER WOMEN
Throughout my life, I have been blessed with several individuals who have kept me accountable in sharing what I felt I was learning.  First it was my sister, then there was a group of women who gathered on a regular basis, then it was a sister-in-law and finally, an intimate group of friends.   Throughout all of this time, I had children who were hungry to exchange dreams and spiritual experiences when we gathered each weekend morning, summer or times they were off track and there was pillow talk with older children when they came home from a date or work and on the way to Gramma’s house and back.    With these individuals, lunch, snacks, dinner and even fun, were always secondary to the spiritual sharing that took place.   What was so fun, is that the individuals involved expected something important would take place, they expected mutual edification.  They thought they would get something at the table from the individuals gathered and they felt they would contribute something of value.  

Current and future moms with whom I share regularly. 

 Photo of several of my daughters and two daughters-in-law with me in the center.

THE MEN IN MY LIFE.
 I am encircled about with men who see women as equals in spirituality and importance.  It is something they believe in their innermost souls.  No man can pretend what isn't there convincingly.   My husband, Bryan, has learned communication skills that have lifted my soul.  He is willing to hear me out and not rush in with solutions or condemn me for conclusions.  It is a powerful, powerful tool.  Parenting and marriage books promise that the one sharing is far more likely to consider options and see their flaws in thinking, far faster than when being compelled to do so.   It is so true!  But, I have found men are more reluctant to share deeply. 



Sometimes husbands see the invitation of "let's talk" as a hostage situation!  A photo of me with my husband, Bryan. 



KEEPING A JOURNAL IS ANOTHER WAY OF SOLIDIFYING WHAT WE ARE LEARNING ALONG THE WAY.

I learned from these ladies about an important principle which I have simply called “writing”.   It is simply to briefly record our morning prayer.  I literally write down my prayer and it begins with “Dear Father”.  I take a moment to recognize His hand in my life and my greatest questions and desires.   I also record any dreams I may have had, not knowing initially if they are meaningful or not.   After doing that, I just take some time to listen what comes into my heart and mind as if from His mouth.   These are primarily what are contained in my multitude of journals.  For example, I recorded what I saw as a miracle yesterday.  We had determined to get all of our things out of the basement to give Brett and Missy and their children more room in the basement.   I had suggested this as a goal, but  Dad determined we should do this yesterday.  He brought everything upstairs and I began to be faint of heart.  We have been used to having all or a portion of a basement to house some of 40 years of collected stuff.  When I saw what came up, I was overwhelmed.  I shared my concerns with my Heavenly Father, and received a  few short impressions.  They were simply that angels would help me in this task and it would be done in a day and I would joy and rejoice in the results.  Though our kitchen looked like we just moved in with box after box staring at me, I now approached this task with hope.  Hope is the biggest by product of daily sharing with the Lord when there is that expectation that you will get something important from that process.  For me it is different from just praying.  It is a form of accountability.

THREE IMPORTANT DAILY QUESTIONS FOR THE LORD.
In my written prayer, I ask three important questions in one form or another.  What am I prepared to learn today about the gospel?   I am basically asking God to tutor me.   Next, of all the things I need to repent of, bring into my view that which is most needful to address now.  Finally, what is the best use of my time and energies today?   I write down the feelings that immediately come as if from His own mouth.  Surely, many of those thoughts are my own, but I also believe many come from outside of me.  I am able to consider things I had not considered.  I feel the spirit and my hope doesn’t run out that day.  I feel the gospel is doable when I am consistent in this process. 

THE POTENTIAL OF SHARING VERBALLY WITH OTHERS

I just completed a contracted thirty school days of teaching 10 teenage boys who are in state's custody this summer for our local school district.   It is a new program where the boys have a chance to earn recovery credit and fill in any gaps in learning they may have.  I teach them math, language arts and study skills.   We talk about principles of learning every morning for just a couple of minutes.  I often feel strong waves of the spirit in that process.  In their eyes, though they have done all sorts of criminal acts, though they know little about the principles of Godliness, they expect to learn something and they think they have something to share.  This summer has probably been the highlight of my professional career.  Last week I shared excerpts of an article that appeared in Forbes Magazine that described 10 important characteristics of highly influential people.    Though I only got to read the first four, because I had to subscribe to the magazine to get the rest, these concepts literally made my heart sing because they happen to include what I also consider are the four most important elements of establishing a Zion Society.   The following is my interpretation of what she wrote about in my own words. 

The first is that those successful individuals are consistently engaged in an effort to learn more and improve.  The world is filled with individuals who grumble through life, hate their job and their circumstances and then there are those who love what they do and love their life.  These are primarily those who see life an a never ending opportunity to grow. 

The second was that these individuals were not content to have things remain as they are.  They always saw situations that needed to change and set about to change them.   My thought is that these individuals see what is going well, but also can see those ways that a situation or circumstance can improve and are not afraid to share those ideas.  They have faith in themselves as being an instrument of change and they believe in others' capacities to make needed changes. 

The third characteristic was that these individuals know that nothing great happens if it isn’t mutually beneficial.  It is never at the expense of those with whom you associate or work with.  The author said that the world is full of individuals who have a positive mindset and are shakers and movers, but if they are willing to get ahead at the expense of others, they really are simply narcissists.  Then there are those few who understand and are committed to the mutual benefit of all involved. 

 The fourth characteristic of these individuals is that they recognize the need for sharing and are open to others’ critiques.  They recognize the importance of synergy in making progress and getting things done.  My thoughts are that this will even occasionally include sharing with those set over us.   There is order in any church organization, any  business, and even in a family if you subscribe to a patriarchal order.  All members of any organization need to bring their best to the table.  Sometimes that necessitates having difficult conversations.  After collaboration and decisions are made by those in authority, all need to work together to make those decisions work to the best of their abilities.  

I only have to guess what the author included in the remainder of her list, but there are two I would add:   One is that there is a plan for us that is far more detailed than we suppose and that the circumstances in which we find ourselves, could be part of that "plan" and are often potential stepping stones to greater things, if we turn unto the Lord.   I have quoted Neal Maxwell numerous times:  "It does no violence to our frail human logic to observe that there cannot be a grand plan of salvation for all mankind, unless there is also a plan for each individual."    Seeking the Lord's input and view of what is to be a part of our lives and what isn't is actually a part of the repentance process.    Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what others think of us.  It doesn’t matter if they buy into our philosophies.  It doesn’t matter if others make needed changes.  What matters if that, with God’s help, we find out what our errand is exactly which often includes giving others their best chance of coming unto Christ.  Our plan often and will primarily  consist of opportunities to interface with certain individuals throughout the course of our lifetime.

The second I feel to share and this of course, this is not an exhaustive list, (though this post may seem a little exhausting), is that there are righteous priorities that are always in play.   Our first priority is our relationship with God for without that one, we are terribly handicapped in meeting other’s needs or fulfilling our life’s mission.  The second is our spouse or in the absence of a spouse, our focus needs to be in becoming “spouse” material rather than finding that spouse.  The third is our unmarried children, followed by our married children.   Then, our priority is the world at large with those closest to us and beyond.   Whatever choices we make, this order matters most.  As we seek to please the Lord, we need to keep an open mind, both as to what the Lord is going to ask us to sacrifice and what he is willing to give us or ask us to retain. 

Though I have ten children, this is my current nuclear family, as the rest of our children are married.



So how did things turn our yesterday?  The angels ended up being Audrie, Alyse and Bryan and intermittent thoughts from my Father in Heaven throughout the day.  The miracle was that things in my home were better organized.  We found a place for everything.  I now have many things all in the same location.  The garbage can is full.   Ironically,  I don’t feel more cramped, but rather more functional.  We found things we thought were lost.  I initially believed this was a hopeless task.  I don’t know what lies ahead in immediate futurity.  I only know that God is merciful and that His perspective will beat mine any day. 

Love, Mom

Teaching Faith

How does a mother teach her children faith?  I was blessed with someone in my life who introduced me to the principle of faith.  Now, over forty years later, I am stilling refining my understanding of it.  All I know if that my greatest blessings have been the fruits of faith. 

Son, Brett and his wife Missy, hold Family Home Evening each Monday Evening in an attempt to teach their children faith.

 

  My sister, 15 years my senior, taught me vital truths about the nature of God as I was approaching adolescence.   She began teaching me about the importance of studying scriptures and the words of prophets, key to building my faith.  On my birthday and Christmas, she gave me a doctrinal book to read and told me what book she wanted for those occasions.  She taught me how to study.  She explained that the careful student will look for blessings or attributes they want to acquire and then they should seek to find the laws upon which those blessings are based.  It became a type of treasure hunt for me.  My first experiment was to try to keep laws associated with specific blessings  surrounded Sabbath Day observance.  The blessings I sought were listed in Isaiah 58 which included an increased ability to hear direction from the Lord and increased light, which to me meant an increased ability to gain knowledge.  She had literally pointed out 16 blessings that Isaiah promised the faithful Sabbath Day observer.  She said that one of the blessings indicated one would be smarter."   I thought, how does a 13 year old keep the Sabbath Day Holy?  I decided that in addition to going to church, I could decline offers to go shopping on Sunday with my mother.  I could fast once a month for 24 hours and that I could make it more holy by  not doing my homework on Sundays.  After putting that principle to the test, I found myself doing much better in school.  I was on the High Honor Roll for the first time in my life.  I also felt an increasing ability to recognize promptings.   I literally became somewhat of a scholar receiving a host of academic accolades upon graduation from college.  But, much more importantly, I began to understand more fully the role of faith in both implementing commandments and realizing the subsequent fruits that obedience.   

 

It takes great faith to believe that the Lord can influence us in both big and small decisions we make in life.

 

Mormons subscribe to an incredible doctrine that separates them from many other churches.  It is the right of individuals to receive personal revelation.  It doesn’t just include divine guidance in one’s personal life and affairs, but knowledge about the mysteries of Godliness.    Joseph Smith taught, speaking of himself, "God has not revealed anything to Joseph, but what He will make known unto the Twelve, and even the least Saint may know all things as fast as he is able to bear them, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 149)." After receiving the revelation of the three degrees of glory he wrote a the end of section 76 of the Doctrine and Covenants:  “But great and marvelous are the works of the Lord, and the mysteries of his kingdom which he showed unto us. . . which he commanded us we should not write. . . neither is man capable to make them known, for they are only to be seen and understood by the power of the Holy Spirit, which God bestows on those who love him, and purify themselves before him.  To whom he grants this privilege of seeing and knowing for themselves; that through the power and manifestation of the Spirit, while in the flesh, they may be able to bear his presence in the world.”

Bringing a child into what seems like an uncertain world takes great faith. 

 

One of my first significant dreams was a simple one.  It was a man coming up to me and asking if I wanted to see an ancient oil lamp.  I was excited to view one, as the parable of the wise virgins was one of my favorite parables.   He showed it to me and I loved seeing it.  Then he asked me if I wanted to see a modern day lamp.  To be polite, though less excited about this, I said yes.   He showed me an identical lamp.  I considered this might be a significant dream.  As I pondered and prayed about that dream, I felt the Lord was telling me that the same kind of faith required by the ancients would be required of me.  I would, if I determined to be a faithful saint, be asked to pass tests of my faith that would require me to go forward, not knowing the end from the beginning.   I would have my own Abrahamic tests and  Red Seas to cross.  How could it be otherwise?  They came and are still coming and I thank God for them.