My Mormon Third Eye: I See... Answering a Loaded Question from an Elder Elder

Sunday, July 19, 2009

I See... Answering a Loaded Question from an Elder Elder

My son will be returning from his mission in 34 days. Relative to other missionaries in his assigned field of labor, he is an elder elder.

14 days ago, via the weekly missionary letter, he posed a provocative, loaded question: “Dad, what goals should I set for myself after my mission is over? “

I knew I had to be careful about this one. This was not your standard query on the Second Coming or why Nephi quotes Isaiah so much in the Book of Mormon, etc. This was a sincere, yet dangerous question. If my answer inserted too much detailed information about post-mission life into his protective fulltime service cocoon, I would risk bearing at least partial responsibility for a trunky missionary sacrificing the last few weeks of his labors on the alter of worldly expectations and thinking and living beyond the mark. Yet I owed him a usable answer; something to gently yet earnestly chew on but not swallow until he is released. Here is what I sent- do you think I successfully walked the tightrope of valid fatherly advice on his future without tempting him to leave the present?

“Dear Brian,

"We love you and miss you very much; we are very proud of what you are accomplishing as a missionary of the Lord Jesus Christ.

"In a recent email, you asked us for advice on goals to set for yourself when you return, Before I answer that question, I need to say one thing, one time, right here, right now- we look anxiously forward to your return. I want you to keep your head in the work, however, so just file that away in the back of your mind as an expression of our love for you.

"You have spent the last 23 months teaching simple truths about how to gain a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You have taught that the truth of all things can be acquired through sincere prayer and scripture study. I'm sure that you are practicing these two simple truths to successful living yourself during your morning individual and companion prayer and study sessions.

"The best advice I can offer is to set a goal now to continue the practice of daily, earnest scripture study and prayer after your mission. I personally testify that all of life's decisions are better made under the influence of this simple daily regimen. The convenient quality of this goal is that it allows you to adequately prepare for the future without having to think a lot about it. Keep your heart focused on bringing souls unto Christ up until the very last day of your labors, and have faith that the channel of inspiration you established with God during your mission will be there to guide you after you return.

Love,

Dad"

3 comments:

*July 19, 2009 at 4:51 PM
One thing my single ward bishop suggested to me post-mission is to make every single day after my mission just as spiritual as my mission was. It was great advice, which I strive to follow today, 15 yrs later.
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Richard TaitJuly 19, 2009 at 5:06 PM
great advice! maybe I'll add that in the next letter!
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Where The Wilds Things AreJuly 20, 2009 at 3:00 PM
great advice.
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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.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

I See... Answering a Loaded Question from an Elder Elder

3 comments:

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