My Mormon Third Eye: I See... The Nameless Young Sister Missionary

Sunday, February 21, 2016

I See... The Nameless Young Sister Missionary

The Mormon Third Eye, with the awesome social media power of the blogsophere, is continually striving to shine the spotlight on the remarkably important yet seemingly minor acts of gospel courage that can define us. This week the MTE is highlighting the unsung heroes of missionary work strewn throughout the scriptures.

We frequently hear about the magnificent missionary exploits of Ammon, Alma, and the other sons of Mosiah. Abinadi was bold and Amulek was powerful in their preaching. Moroni's invitation to “come unto Christ and be perfected in him” is an invitation to explore the Gospel of Jesus Christ that continues to have impact spanning thousands of years.

But what about the nameless army of everyday missionaries hidden in scriptural accounts of heathens turning their hearts towards God? One of my favorites is the nameless young Israelite maiden who appears out of nowhere in 2^nd Kings 5. She was the war booty of a successful Syrian foray into Israelite territory, a captive brought back to serve as the handmaiden of Naaman's wife. Naaman was deserved of such an honor, for he was the captain of the Syrian army who had served his king well. While Naaman was a “mighty man of valor,” he was also.... a leper.

The young Israelite maiden, obvious aware of her master's husband's challenge, innocently issued the following invitation to follow that day's prophet: “Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.”

The rest is history. The King of Syria arranged via the King of Israel for the leader of his armies to visit the prophet Elisha, who instructed him to wash himself in the river Jordan seven times to be healed. After some initial soul searching, he did what he was told and it worked! Naaman now knew that “there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel.”

I still don't know the young Israelite handmaiden's name, but I have been motivated and inspired by her story. I also know that in our days, there is an awesome army of valiant Israelite handmaidens of all ages in church-wide missionary, Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary organizations, who soften hearts and open doors to the gospel for those that they serve. I only know a few of their names- my wife, my daughter, my daughter-in-law, and certain women I remember from home wards in North Carolina and Maryland.

If they all act in the tradition of a nameless young handmaiden in 2^nd Kings 5, the church has nothing to worry about.

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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.