My Mormon Third Eye: I See... How to Make the Old Testament Relevant

Sunday, May 29, 2016

I See... How to Make the Old Testament Relevant

The Mormon Third Eye can function as your ultimate one-stop blog for practical instruction on how to master some of the most difficult challenges life has to offer. From issues as puny as “How to Name a Rock Band” to more weighty matters, such as “How to Become the Ultimately Cheap BYU Fan,” the MTE has always been there with you to coach you through trying times. Now it is time to add another elegant experience to the list. One of the most truly challenging Mt. Everests we must climb in our quest to become gospel scholars is making sense out of the Old Testament. How can we make the Old Testament relevant?

This must seem to be an impossible task for those of us diving into the Old Testament overwhelmed by the mountain of irrelevant references to life back then. I myself have fallen prey to the temptation to politely excuse the need to learn about this sacred text. I'm ashamed to admit that I have, on occasion, threatened misbehaving youth with the penalty of making them read or listen to chapters from the Old Testament.

However, once you get past talking donkeys and righteous assassins getting the hilts of their knives caught in the overflowing folds of belly fat belonging to overweight evil kings, the Old Testament is basically a story about a chosen people waiting for the Lord to come and save them from their sins. Repentance and Atonement.

This is one key element of the mortal narrative we have in common with our Israelite ancestors; we too are waiting for the Lord to come. We are urged and inspired today to “wait” in the biblical active sense- correctly interpret and understand the signs of His Second Coming, then hope for or anticipate it's occurrence. Through ancient and modern revelation we learn that when He does come again, “he shall come in his glory” (Psalm 102:16) and “shall stand in the midst of his people, and shall reign over all flesh.” (D&C 133:25). Hopefully we do a better job the second time around.

Jesus Christ in white robes and a red sash, standing on a cloud in the air, surrounded by thousands of angels blowing trumpets.

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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.