My Mormon Third Eye: I See… A Visit to Mayberry

Sunday, March 17, 2013

I See… A Visit to Mayberry

The southern country charm of slow town Sheriff Andy and his son, Opie. Good ole boy Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife quickly fumbling awkwardly with the unloaded gun on his sagging hip holster and pretentiously acting and talking in his signature high-pitched whine like he knows everything. Aunt Bea and her comfortable home cooking, especially her apple pies. The fictional, idealized Mayberry was a warm, welcoming, family place designed to emote the enveloping embrace of home. If you took the TV show seriously, you felt like you were home for the next 30 minutes.

A couple of months ago I drove my adult daughter to her first archery lesson. She had signed up with blind faith, having no foreknowledge of the facility or the organization that operated it. We arrived at a narrow, makeshift barn-like structure in the countryside and apprehensively walked through the creaky front door into a very unofficial but homey lobby populated with rustic picnic tables, an impressive collection of old trophies, and an array of classic archery paraphernalia hugging the walls. An army of upper-middle age women manning the small registration table kindly approached my daughter and showed genuine interest in her interest in archery, as if she belonged to them. Another crew of retired fathers from the same era gently walked her down to the indoor range at one end of the shallow barn and patiently started to explain to her how to hold a bow and line up an arrow. I remember glancing around the barn and sensing an inherent warmth that made me feel comfortable, kind of like visiting the eclectic old garage at my Grandpa’s house. Life was slow but kind here- the kind of life you rarely meet nowadays in today’s instant, internet world, except in classic movies and old TV sitcoms.

My mind stumbled for a moment- Wait a minute? Where was I? What do they call this place that I have trusted to offer archery lessons to my only daughter? I quickly scanned the walls for some semblance of identification, stopped on reading the plaque affixed to an old trophy, then smiled with satisfaction- “Mayberry Archers.” Of course.

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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.