My Mormon Third Eye: I See… Making History

Sunday, March 31, 2013

I See… Making History

In the world of words, there are two ways to “make history.” The traditional definition refers to implementing an event so important that the memory of it will linger in the hearts and minds of men long after the moment is gone. However, regular MTE readers shun the traditional in favor of alternative explanations, and ironically, in today’s mostly alternative world, the traditional IS the alternative. Confused yet? Hang on. I’ll clear this up by the end of this post.

To the Lord, every event that occurs every second of every day in every life is important. Hence, in his eyes, we make history simply by living. We chose to make history in the pre-earth life when we chose to support our Elder Brother’s choice to be our Savior and Redeemer as part of our Heavenly Father’s great plan of happiness for us.

What common culture remembers now becomes history. Traditionally, we tend to remember the popular and famous but not what is important to the Lord. How do we account, then, for the history being made by the History Channel’s production and airing of the 10-part miniseries, “The Bible”?

The series, with the final installment being broadcast this Easter evening, has been breaking all sorts of viewership records for cable TV and surprising modern media moguls. Series producers and actors/actresses are appearing on daytime talk shows, and their glossy interviewers appear puzzled and confused by its popularity. After all, there are no car chases, aliens, zombies, steamy sex scenes, or bloody decapitated bodies! It’s just the Bible! What’s the draw?

I suspect that history is being made here because we have stumbled on a rare instance where mass entertainment media is reflecting the peoples’ moral compass instead of trying to shape it. This must be disheartening to the adversary but encouraging to the Lord. The hidden majority of Christians who rely on Christ daily for life and salvation are now a popular media demographic. The alternative has become mainstream. The Bible has its own share of special effects-worthy moments that entertain, but the serious believer yearns to be inspired. Whether you will be entertained or inspired will be a part of your own history.

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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.