My Mormon Third Eye: I See… the Jesus I Like

Sunday, April 7, 2013

I See… the Jesus I Like

There are an awful lot of Jesus’s out there. First, there is the Jesus in the LDS Church Bible videos. Then there is Diogo Morgado, the Portuguese actor playing the Savior in the History Channel Bible series. They are both very inspirational and moving portrayals of Christ and his mission. I have a nephew who plays the Savior in the Mesa temple Easter pageant. I am personally overwhelmed thinking about the spiritual preparation involved in launching these productions. The big church publishes three different renderings of Jesus- the Del Parson Christ, the Henrich Hoffman Christ, and the Carl Heinrich Bloch Christ. I keep one of each of these in my planner for comfort and companionship.

Joseph Smith’s Christ was described as “his eyes were as a flame of fire; hair white like the pure snow; his countenance shown above the brightness of the sun, and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters…”

Which one do you like the best?

My favorite is the one I know personally in my prayers. I don’t what he looks like, but he’s the one that bore the burden of my sins and sorrows in the Garden of Gethsemane so that I could repent and endure to the end if I keep the commandments, follow him in faith and righteousness, and subjugate my will to his. The one that I am eternally indebted to for my life and salvation. The one who asks me to thank him by serving others. That one.

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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.