My Mormon Third Eye: I See... Why Scripture Study and Prayer Make Life So Exciting

Sunday, March 22, 2009

I See... Why Scripture Study and Prayer Make Life So Exciting

Recently the family and I treated ourselves to a few days at Disneyland. We rode and enjoyed several roller coaster rides durin

g our stay. The thrill of the ride consists of moving rapidly through time and space, with the constant threat of being thrown out of the car or harness by an unexpected twist and turn. Sometimes we can look ahead of the track to find the big upside down loop looming in our immediate future; in this case it is the anticipation in waiting for what comes next that floats our boat. In all cases, however, it is the lowly seatbelt that turns sudden, sure injury into an exciting ride. Sure, you might get yanked around a bit, and even battle motion sickness, but it is that nondescript piece of reinforced cloth strapped across your waist that keeps you safe and permits you to enjoy what you are enduring.

Life is an exciting roller coaster ride jam-packed with ups and downs yanking us around incessantly. Some events, like college and missions for our kids, we can look forward too; others, like lost jobs and sudden illness, may take us by surprise. Daily, meaningful scripture study and prayer are life's seatbelt that let us enjoy today's ride in relative safety.

Recently I had a distant but meaningful friend fall off his gospel roller coaster. He didn't have his study and prayer seatbelt on, and when he went upside down on the anti-Mormon literature loop, he fell out and spiritually died. Could it be that those who constantly remind us to ponder and pray do so because they love us so much, and they don't want us to miss any of the ride by falling away?

So, when your car blows up on the freeway, your brother is ordained a Bishop, your daughter's liver stops working, your son returns from his mission, your fiancee dumps you, all-you-eat shrimp starts up again at Red Lobster, your mom in a nursing home can't remember your name, and your neighbor fixes your computer for free, remember to wear your seatbelt of scripture study and prayer and you'll enjoy the most exciting ride of your life! YOUR LIFE!

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The Mormon Third Eye Quote of the Week

"As men of the priesthood, we have an essential role to play in society, at home, and in the Church. But we must be men that women can trust, that children can trust, and that God can trust. In the Church and kingdom of God in these latter days, we cannot afford to have boys and men who are drifting. We cannot afford young men who lack self-discipline and live only to be entertained. We cannot afford young adult men who are going nowhere in life, who are not serious about forming families and making a real contribution in this world. We cannot afford husbands and fathers who fail to provide spiritual leadership in the home."

Elder D. Todd Christofferson
Priesthood Session Conference, October 2012

Why My Mormon Third Eye?

When I politely excused myself in the middle of dinner to make a bathroom stop, how did Mom know that I had uneaten peas in my pocket to flush down the toilet? When I came home late from a youth dance and slid quietly into bed to avoid waking parental units, how did Dad know, without looking at the car, that I smashed in the front bumper? When I watch my daughter play a video game, how do I know that she's not ready for her Geometry final?

Its the Third Eye. The notorious eye in the back of the head, the extra view of life that God blesses parents striving to do the right thing so they can see more of life than the children they chase after.

Our third eye also permits us to see things and feel emotions that are too refined, too far on the edge of our standard two-eyed peripheral vision to enjoy in its fullness. I've learned that I have a Mormon Third Eye; that is, as a life-long, fully-dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have unique perspective on how the doctrines of the gospel and the demands of my faith in them intersect every other part of my mortal existence to create the entertaining, self-deprecating kaleidoscope of my life.

So... for those of you bold and bored enough to read this far, every so often I'll be sharing here what my Mormon third eye sees. Third eyes are relatively huge; they see the humorous, the entertaining, the embarrassing, the beautiful, the inspirational, and even the moral and political; however, they tend to ignore the evil, depressing and destructive: there is enough of that in world already!

The Four Secrets to Successful Living

Always Go Where There is Free Food - This includes ward and work parties, wedding receptions and missionary open houses; the money you spend to buy the ingredients for the world-famous triple chocolate cake you bring doesn’t count.
Never Pay Full Price for Anything – See my posts on Black Friday escapades for more information on this.
Never, Ever Press the Red Button - Usually, if you are faced with a red button somewhere, don’t press it – it usually means trouble. For example, the red button launches the missiles. Do yourself a favor and don’t press it.
Any Problem You Face Can Be Solved With Bungee Cords and Duct Tape - Bungee cord and duct tape technology has saved many marriages and ward parties. I’m not just talking about problems with plumbing or keeping groceries from bouncing around the trunk; I know of relationship and family issues that have been solved with creative applications of these two substances.