My Mormon Third Eye: I See… Knowing What You Have

Sunday, July 1, 2012

I See… Knowing What You Have

Do you know what you have? I do. I have a charming wife, wonderful kids, a good job that won’t make me rich but pays the bills and I enjoy working it. I have a good home in a good neighborhood, with couches, chairs, beds, dressers, televisions and computers, all in various states of damage and disrepair. I also have supportive friends and a testimony of Jesus Christ that provides me great comfort in times of stress and trial.

However, is that all I have? Isn’t there more? According to three men I know, I have a lot more.

A few years ago I was chatting on the state of world affairs with a man who had immigrated from Turkey, and had found success in the hospitality industry. He volunteered the following: “ You Americans don’t know what you have here. I see so many workers in America who are lazy and complain about life. Back in Turkey it is very difficult to get ahead in life regardless of how hard you work, because of your station. If you don’t the money for bribes, you can’t ahead. Here in America, however, if I just work hard and make good decisions, I can be successful. I love this country.”

Another man who immigrated from Russia I know only from watching him on the television show “Undercover Boss.” He was a night shift delivery driver for 7-11 stores. The hidden camera caught him saying something like the following to his temporary intern, who was really the company CEO: “I love this country. You Americans don’t know what you have here. Back in Russia, I look for job but can’t find one because I don’t know anybody. You have to know people. But here in America, I come to work on time and I work hard, so I can take of my family. This is not so in Russia. This is a great country.”

Finally, a few years ago I was talking with a Korean lawyer friend who was attending an international law school seminar program for one year in the United States. He explained to me “This is why I love America. In Korea, I have no choice about the clothes I wear to work. I have to wear certain color suit with white shirt and red tie. It is like a uniform in our law practice. I thought that was how law was supposed to be practiced, so when I came to America and started attending the law school seminars, I stressed out on what I was supposed to wear. Finally I decided to take a risk and just come to law school wearing a nice pair of jeans and I white shirt with an open collar. I was surprised that no one really cared how I was dressed as I walked through the campus and listened to class lectures. The feeling of freedom from a regimented dress code was exhilarating and liberating. You Americans don’t know what you have here. I love this country.”

I think that all three of these men were trying to tell me that the pursuit of happiness, (not the guarantee of it) is what makes us American and makes this country lovable. They described it as the freedom to work hard and be successful. Apparently it is also something many of us don’t know we have. I think that this Wednesday, as we celebrate the founding of our country, I’ll add that to my list of what I have in the opening paragraph.

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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.