My Mormon Third Eye: I See... Living Happily Ever After

Sunday, June 28, 2009

I See... Living Happily Ever After

“And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness.”
2nd Nephi 5:27

What does it mean to live happily ever after? That phrase almost involuntarily invokes storybook scenarios of a handsome prince on a noble white steed, falling hopelessly in love with a beautiful young princess. They begin a life of wedded bliss as they ride off in the sunset together, hearts entwined in the strands of immortal love. The LDS version would be something like a handsome young return missionary on BYU campus arriving to the library wearing noble white sneakers locks eyes in instant love with a beautiful fair maiden across the shelves studying for her history final. After a whirlwind courtship they head off in the sunset via a temple marriage living happily ever after, looking forward to eons of wedded bliss with 10 children and a garden where they grow all their own food. Technically,

in LDS doctrine, “ever after” is not just an amorphous fairy tale phrase; eternal marraiges are available to those who keep their covenants and endure to the end.

What I find amazing is that so many of the stereotypical happily ever after stories leave out the most important element that makes happily ever after possible- the obstacles and challenges of life. In this context, fairy tales more resemble real life than our own unrealistic expectations. Have we forgotten about the wicked witches, the poisoned apples and the fire-breathing dragons that our heroes had to conquer before winning the hand and heart of a fair maiden? Can we really expect a carefree life with no challenges or difficulties to climb over when even our fairy tales focus on hardships that must be mastered?

The record of Nephite nations proclaims that their happiest times were also their most challenging (see 2nd Nephi 5:27, Alma 50:23). So if life is easy for you now, and you expect no difficulties in your future, I'd be worried about living happily ever after!

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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.