My Mormon Third Eye: I See… How to Master the Essence of Hope

Sunday, October 28, 2012

I See… How to Master the Essence of Hope

(WARNING: OF ALL THE “HOW TO” INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED BY THE MORMON THIRD EYE, THIS WILL BE THE MOST MOTIVATIONAL; YOU’RE GOING TO WANT TO GET UP AND DO SOMETHING- LAZY PEOPLE, TURN AWAY- DO NOT READ THIS!!)

I’m lying here in bed on a Sunday morning, not where I should or want to be. The cure dispensed for my severe sinus infection, an unpronounceable antibiotic loaded with x’s and y’s and strings of vowels that normally do not appear next to each other, has proven to be worse than the illness (is this too much information?). I’d rather be with my boys in priesthood meeting. Furthermore, the storm to end all storms, according to the latest weather bunnies, will be visiting us the next day or so. And, I’ve got to blog. I’ve only missed one Sunday in the past five years,and that was intentional. So, I have every reason to be somewhat depressed, and I am. However, that won’t last for long. Why? Because I have mastered the essence of hope… and so can you.

Here is how it works. The essence of hope is the firm belief that while present circumstances are terrible, life will get better. The essence of hope is that there is always something good in your life to look forward to. Sometimes it can be something as minor as a candy bar you plan to consume later on this evening, or something more long-term, such as the temple marriage and family promised to you in your patriarchal blessing. In any case, there is always something good to look forward to, and it is this anticipation of goodness that makes the distress of the present more palatable.

It is critical to note that I am not advocating that you lie to yourself and enjoy whatever current trial you’re facing. Sometimes life stinks, and to deny that is to deny the reality of life itself. The key is to admit that “while I hate my circumstances now, sometime later on my circumstances will improve and I will feel better.”

This process of mastering the essence of hope runs through the scriptures like a new river, but my favorite is the account of Alma and his visit to the people of Ammonihah. In Alma chapter 8, we learn that his first visit to Ammonihah did not go very well. He was “weighed down with sorrow, wading through much tribulation and anguish of soul.” At his moment of great despair, an angel appeared and told him “Blessed art thou, Alma; therefore, lift up thy head and rejoice, for thou hast great cause to rejoice; for thou hast been faithful in keeping the commandments of God from the time which thou receivedst thy first message from him.” Alma would later be made to watch those who believed in God burn to death, and then get chained naked and thirsty and hungry for several days in jail. While I’m sure he didn’t enjoy any of these events at the moment they happened, he endured because he believed that life would get better. And it did.

There was a time in my life when I young, lonely, and broke. I had no money for anything. A wise father taught me this principle, and sent me just enough money to buy a candy bar every day. Every day I would come home from work, walk to the library to read books (which was free), and end my day with a candy bar. Every day I would wake up and look forward to the candy bar moment. It was the anticipation of looking forward to a brighter future that got me through a dismal day without money and friends.

The candy bar moment is the essence of hope. When will you have your candy bar moment?

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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.