My Mormon Third Eye: I See... Early Morning Seminary, the New Drug

Sunday, March 1, 2015

I See... Early Morning Seminary, the New Drug

I'm finishing up day 10 now. Due to weather emergencies I've had to endure 8 of the last 10 early weekday mornings by myself, without the intoxicating company of 13 mostly awake and alive young men and women choosing gospel enrichment over a more inviting pillow. Without the united spirit of 13 savvy students and one fired-up facilitator listening to, learning,and living the basic doctrines of the Gospel of Jesus Christ together via the revealed word of God in the Doctrine and Covenants. Without their engaging smiles, laughter, and quotable conversation that enlightens my heart and soul and prepares me for a more sullen day as a working stiff. Without the daily confirming witness of the Holy Ghost that we have a Savior who loves us so he chastens us; that there is real power in the Atonement to overcome our sins and weather our sorrows; and that sincere, honest pondering and prayer with a gut-wrenching desire to know will bring lasting, enduring answers too deep and delightful to describe.

Yes, I admit I have a problem,which is the first stage to recovery. I am addicted to early morning Seminary, my new “drug” of choice, and I don't know what to do about it, or whether I should do something about it.

Longtime readers of the Mormon Third Eye know that it often revels in viewing all aspects of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the church charged as its caretaker in different yet faith-enlightening lenses. In the spirit of this seven year-plus tradition, I propose three distinct, yet related analogies on the administration of pharmaceuticals that could apply to my desperate situation: this story, that story, and the last story.

This Story

When it comes to the power to restore and reinforce both body and soul, no one can deny the double-edged sword of pharmaceuticals. Just as the proper administration of the right dosage of medicine can relieve suffering and buy our hearts and minds more quality time to think deeper thoughts, regular doses of seminary every morning restores our souls and draws us closer to God.

That Story

Drugs can be addictive. When we become addicted to a substance, our minds send signals to our bodies that we cannot function without it. The addiction rules our lives, and unnatural and distorted priorities are placed on obtaining more of the addictive substance. Normally, addictions of any kind rob us of our free agency to make right choices. Currently, desires to rejoice in the spirit that accompanies early morning seminary rule my life. I find myself aching through the spiritual withdrawal of no seminary due to inclement weather. The thought of when and what I will teach next consumes many of my waking moments. I can't imagine life without early morning seminary. It's a good problem to have.

The Last Story

Pornography has been aptly labeled “the new drug” for good reason; it is highly addictive and destructive to individuals, families,and relationships. In the tradition of “fighting fire with fire,” certainly we can fight a bad addiction with a good one. Hence, I wholeheartedly recommend early morning seminary as the next new drug in the battle against this evil. A soul consumed with all that a successful, spiritual early morning seminary program demands of it has no room for the corrosive, cankering effects of pornography.

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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.