My Mormon Third Eye: I See... Standing as a Witness

Monday, August 8, 2016

I See... Standing as a Witness

Standing as a witness is a key concept of our faith. 15 witnesses saw Joseph Smith's golden plates to testify of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, and sacred ordinances of salvation are not recorded as valid unless there are witnesses present. And, in the most sacred contexts imaginable, the Father bears witness of the Son when necessary.

Hence I feel it important for the Mormon Third Eye to stand as a witness of two seminal events that occurred in Las Vegas on the same weekend; one eternally amazing, and another just plain amazing;

Just Plain Amazing

Several elements of the extended big Tait family were converging on Las Vegas for the temple wedding of a favorite nephew. One of my other favorite young married nephews agreed to pick me up at the airport mid-morning and babysit me for a few hours until the rest of the family arrived for matrimonial festivities later in the day (The fact that a young hip and happen'in nephew would WANT to be seen with me around Vegas is truly amazing, but I digress). He proceeded to pick me up a sporty white Mustang convertible and escort me to his truly palatial suite at the prestigious Hard Rock hotel on the Strip. When he and his sweet wife had arrived in Las Vegas the night before, both their carefully selected inexpensive rental car and hotel room had been sold to someone else in error. In an absolutely amazing feat of satisfying serendipity, they were compensated for their discomfort with their upgraded convertible and suite. My nephew, certain that no one would believe his good fortune, pleaded with me to stand as an independent witness. I certify that I did in fact see and spend time in the said convertible and suite.
Image result for hard rock hotel las vegas

Image result for hard rock hotel las vegas

Eternally Amazing

Covenants and commandments were kept across generations, preparing two worthy young members of the church to meet over a sacred sealing altar in the Las Vegas Temple last Saturday. One of them was my oldest brother's son. With his sweet bride they made eternal covenants that included immeasurable promises of eternal increase and “all that the Father hath.” At that moment they started the bright new adventure of matrimony that will assuredly include recurring bouts of faith, repentance and forgiveness; of mistakes and miracles, patience and pain, joy and sorrow, and words of both planned praise and thoughtless criticism. And through it all, it will be their commitment to the covenants they made that day that will carry them through valleys of trial and sorrow.

A view of the Las Vegas Nevada Temple illuminated in the evening, with an orange sky in the background and the city lights in the distance.

I was privileged to populate the quiet crowd of family and friends in the sealing room to enjoy this eternally amazing event.

I stand as a witness.

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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.