My Mormon Third Eye: I See... the Same Thing Over and Over Again

Sunday, April 3, 2011

I See... the Same Thing Over and Over Again

WARNNG: THIS IS ONE OF MY LONGER POSTS. I'M SORRY. HANG IN THERE. IT REALLY DOES GET BETTER THE LONGER YOU READ.

The Priesthood is the power to act in God's name. Charity is the pure love of Christ. The Savior atoned for both our sins and our sorrows. Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God, and the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Sincere fasting and heartfelt prayer can bring miracles large and small into the lives of those who do it in faith, nothing wavering. We are divine sons and daughters of heavenly parents; we were created in their image. Keeping the law of chastity and the Word of Wisdom brings untold blessings of health and wisdom. Pay your tithing. Love your neighbor. Keep the commandments. Bring souls unto Christ.

These doctrines and principles, and several other hundred declarations of faith and belief, can be heard over and over and over again in sacrament meetings, ward councils, seminary classes, and missionary zone conferences across the Stakes of Zion. General Conference is another popular venue for repetition. Why do we keep repeating ourselves? Do we lack creativity? Are we intellectually lazy? Are we.... (dramatic long pause for effect) just boring?

I'm sure we are to those who don't understand. After all, they are just words. There are no video games and 3-D graphics involved to catch and keep our attention. The only valid earthly logical reason to keep repeating ourselves is that good things are worth remembering, and everything in the first paragraph meets that condition. Practice makes perfect. Those in the world who seek to see as the Mormon Third Eye sees are blindly satisfied with this explanation.

However, despite the constant repetition, faithful practicing members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints lead an exciting theological life. The key lies in a profound statement made by Elder Dallin H. Oaks in a stake conference almost a decade ago; “What you hear is more important that what I say.” In other words, it is what the Spirit whispers to our hearts as we listen to the same old words that makes those words so exciting.

As long I am trying to live right, I will always be thrilled by accounts of the First Vision. I will always be humbled by every description of what occurred in the Garden of Gethsemane. Captain Moroni's Title of Liberty will always stir noble desires for freedom deep in my soul. I hope Lehi's and Nephi's dreams about the love of God never loose their savor for me.

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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.