My Mormon Third Eye: I See... an Obligatory Thanksgiving

Sunday, November 30, 2014

I See... an Obligatory Thanksgiving

Near the end of November about this time every year ever since the Mormon Third Eye first penetrated the blogosphere with its incisive brand of social commentary, it has fulfilled an obligation to faithfully post content somewhat related to the Thanksgiving holiday; you can read them here, here, here, and here. This year, however, you’re going to see something different. I am intentionally not going to bow to tradition or social pressure and continue my uninterrupted record of seven years of posts about Thanksgiving. Why? Because the MTE doesn’t believe in offering obligatory thanks. Of all the holidays we celebrate throughout out the year, Thanksgiving is the only one that expressly honors one of the most noble elements of the human spiritual, emotional, and moral condition- gratitude. True gratitude flows from the heart, not from manufactured demands to return thanks for thanks or meet holiday requirements. It should be an expression of love and devotion to a God who vicariously blesses our lives now and in the eternities through the actions of others. Serious MTE posts have always included outward expressions of an inner commitment to emulate the Savior, and He never modeled divine principles of human relations under pressure of social stigma.

So, while I truly am always grateful for this time of year and the opportunities it affords me to humbly reflect on the many people who have blessed my life with their patience, understanding, and charity, I will not ruminate further on this topic at this moment. I’d like to save it for another time and place where there is no risk for it to be misinterpreted or misappreciated as mere obeisance to celebratory convention. As Elder Uchtdorf so boldly taught in April General Conference, we should view gratitude as a disposition, a way of life that stands independent of our current situation.

Perhaps even independent of Thanksgiving?

Dang! Did I just share a message about gratitude on Thanksgiving? Sorry about that…

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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.