The Turkey
Once there was a turkey. He ran away from home because he wanted to explore. The next morning, he found a cave. And he decided to explore it. He found two narrow paths. He chose one narrow path that was scary and it had bats in it. And then he took another path and found home.
The End.
My scanner is not cooperating, or else you could see the awesome illustrations
This is the lesson I gave in Relief Society today. This blog is also my journal, and so, I'd like to post this. Please feel free to share any thoughts or feelings you may have. I wish I could have recorded all of the wonderful things that the sisters shared during the lesson. (Some of this is rough, as it is my notes for my lesson.)
Give background for Ether chapter 6.
Ether 6:4 And it came to pass that when they had prepared all manner of food, that thereby they might subsist upon the water, and also food for their flocks and herds, and whatsoever beast or animal or fowl that they should carry with them—and it came to pass that when they had done all these things they got aboard of their vessels or barges, and set forth into the sea, commending themselves unto the Lord their God.
Note three actions here: 1) Prepare, 2) Commit, 3) Commend: to entrust for care or preservation.
5 And it came to pass that the Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters, towards the promised land; and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind.
6 And it came to pass that they were many times buried in the depths of the sea, because of the mountain waves which broke upon them, and also the great and terrible tempests which were caused by the fierceness of the wind.
I don’t know about you, but I would be wondering what I had done to merit such hardship. “furious wind”, “tossed upon the waves . . . before the wind”, “buried … [by] the mountain waves … which were caused by the fierceness of the wind.” This doesn’t sound fun. And it doesn’t sound fair! Hadn’t they done as they were instructed? Hadn’t they prepared well?
There is a key to our understanding in verse 5: “the Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blow … towards the promised land”. The Lord uses the wind to get the people where they need to be in His time.
Nephi teaches us to liken the scriptures to ourselves. So, what could the “wind” represent in our lives?
Trials. Challenges. Adversity.
“Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more (see Prov. 3:11–12). He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain.” Richard G. Scott, “Trust in the Lord,” Ensign, Nov. 1995
What could the “sea” or “waters” represent?
Earth life? Earthly responsibilities/concerns?
James said: The waters stand between us and our Promised Land. We must traverse them. They hold and are a source of life, but we don’t want to be swallowed up in them. There are dangers that threaten to overwhelm; must be managed with care and prayer.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught, “Most of us have more things expected of us than we can possibly do. As breadwinners, as parents, as Church workers and members, we face many choices on what we will do with our time and other resources.
We should begin by recognizing the reality that just because something is good is not a sufficient reason for doing it. The number of good things we can do far exceeds the time available to accomplish them. Some things are better than good, and these are the things that should command priority attention in our lives.
Jesus taught this principle in the home of Martha. While she was "cumbered about much serving" (Luke 10:40), her sister, Mary, "sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word" (v. 39). When Martha complained that her sister had left her to serve alone, Jesus commended Martha for what she was doing (v. 41) but taught her that "one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her" (v. 42). It was praiseworthy for Martha to be "careful and troubled about many things" (v. 41), but learning the gospel from the Master Teacher was more "needful.”
How do we choose where to spend our limited time, energy, and focus?
Elder Donald L. Hallstrom has taught, “Leading a balanced life can be difficult for any of us. There is not an exact pattern that works for everyone, and even our own blueprint may change during different phases of life. However, seeking balance—giving adequate time and effort to each of those things that really matter—is vital to success in our mortal probation. There are certain fundamental responsibilities we cannot neglect without serious consequence.”
****
President Gordon B. Hinckley has taught:
“I think … all of us in this Church … have a fourfold responsibility. One, [members and leaders] have a responsibility to their families, to see that their families have a measure of their time. … None of us can evade that. … That is basic and fundamental.
“If we are employed, we have a responsibility to our employer. We are not at liberty to short-change him. …
“We have a responsibility to the Lord, of course, to do that which is expected of us as a servant in His house.
“And … we have a responsibility to ourselves to take some time to do a little meditating, to do a little exercise. …"
****
In an Ensign article entitled, “The Stresses of Life,” Lili De Hoyos Anderson wrote “Mosiah 4:27 tells us: “See that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength.” With regard to worldly stress, this means: Simplify!
My mother-in-law once told me that when she feels overwhelmed, she gauges the things that are stressing her by the statement: “A man running for his life would never notice something like this.”
At times we may all need to apply this kind of philosophy liberally to our own temporal concerns. No one knows better than you the things that cause you worldly stress. Make a list. Then get out the red pencil and (this is the tricky part) be ruthless! Cross out the items that don’t pass the running-for-your-life test.
Of course, most of those items are on your list in the first place because you, or someone important to you, cares about them. But if we cannot learn to let go of worldly things, the eternal results may be disastrous.” (Lili De Hoyos Anderson “The Stresses of Life,” Ensign, Feb 1994, 47)
7 And it came to pass that when they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels being tight like unto a dish, and also they were tight like unto the ark of Noah; therefore when they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters.
Have any of you ever felt “encompassed about by many waters?” Or “buried in the deep?”
All the water in the world,
However hard it tried,
Could never sink the smallest ship
Unless it [gets] inside.
And all the evil in the world,
The blackest kind of sin,
Can never hurt you the least bit
Unless you let it in.
Richard G. Scott has taught, “Don’t let the workings of adversity totally absorb your life. Try to understand what you can. Act where you are able; then let the matter rest with the Lord for a period while you give to others in worthy ways before you take on appropriate concern again.”
Jeffrey R. Holland has taught, “Christ knows better than all others that the trials of life can be very deep and we are not shallow people if we struggle with them. But even as the Lord avoids sugary rhetoric, He rebukes faithlessness and He deplores pessimism. He expects us to believe!”
When we feel overwhelmed or discouraged, we can pray, and the Lord will bring us UP.
8 And it came to pass that the wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land while they were upon the waters; and thus they were driven forth before the wind.
It never ends, but if we’re right with the Lord, at least the wind is taking us in the right direction!
9 And they did sing praises unto the Lord; yea, the brother of Jared did sing praises unto the Lord, and he did thank and praise the Lord all the day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lord.
What are some ways that you have found helpful for maintaining, or re-gaining, a spirit of gratitude during your journey?
10 And thus they were driven forth; and no monster of the sea could break them, neither whale that could mar them; and they did have light continually, whether it was above the water or under the water.
There are many things that threaten us and our families in this world, but if we do what we can, in wisdom, to prepare, commit, and commend, we have the promise of His light, whether we are above the water or under the water.
As I have pondered what the barges could represent -- what is it that carries us safely across our Earthly responsibilities and keeps us safe from adversity and trials -- I finally realized that the barges represent our covenants. For me, this added a whole other dimension to the analogy.
Richard G. Scott: True enduring happiness with the accompanying strength, courage, and capacity to overcome the most challenging difficulties comes from a life centered in Jesus Christ. Obedience to His teachings provides a sure foundation upon which to build. That takes effort. There is no guarantee of overnight results, but there is absolute assurance that, in the Lord’s time, solutions will come, peace will prevail, and emptiness will be filled.
11 And thus they were driven forth, three hundred and forty and four days upon the water.
Our days are known, and will not be numbered less. D&C 122:9
12 And they did land upon the shore of the promised land. And when they had set their feet upon the shores of the promised land they bowed themselves down upon the face of the land, and did humble themselves before the Lord, and did shed tears of joy before the Lord, because of the multitude of his tender mercies over them.
As long as we STAY IN THE BOAT, we, too, will set our feet upon the shores of our Promised Land, and shed tears of joy before the Lord because of the multitude of His tender mercies over Us.
What is our Promised Land? Eternal life.
I seem to be having writer's block, so I'm borrowing an idea from my sister, and posting a re-run of an older post.
On "Losing It"
Last Saturday, following weeks and weeks of James working 70-80 hours a week, thereby rendering me a virtual single parent, I felt like I was "totally losing it". Don't get me wrong. I love my children with all my heart, but I NEEDED a break.
James had a priesthood leadership meeting that evening, and afterward went to dinner with a friend from the Stake. When he got home, I turned the kids over to him and said good-bye. He asked where I was going. "Out." I replied.
Then, I left.
Being the total rebel that I am, I drove to the grocery store . . . to buy starch, because we were out and I had a lot of ironing to do. And because I couldn't think of anything else to do. I just needed to get out, . . . alone.
In the grocery store, I didn't wander about, browsing. Nope, I walked briskly, like a woman on a mission, straight to the starch. Once I had it in my hand, I decided I probably needed something more. So I grabbed microwave popcorn (because we were out, and it was on sale), and lime sherbet (because I wanted something sweet and low-fat).
After checking out, it occurred to me that I now had an item that would rapidly melt. I felt disappointment, and a slight sense of relief, when I realized that my "outing" would be short-lived. I had to get this sherbet into the freezer.
I called James. "Are the kids in bed?" "Yes." "O.K., I'll be home in a while."
Not feeling completely ready to return home, I blasted the stereo in my car and accelerated onto the freeway . . . only to find myself behind the slowest driver in our city. There was traffic in the next lane, and my exit was coming right up, so I drove at an unfulfilling 50mph to my exit.
As I neared my home, I still didn't feel quite ready to go in. I drove around the block three times, finally pulling into my driveway as Simon and Garfunkel crooned, "Hoomeward bouund. I wish I waaas hoomeward bouund. "
My Dad has often said that if he ever "totally loses it" we can find him in the freeway meridian shooting out the headlights of the cars driving with their "brights" on--a pet peeve of his. (Before you call the police, just let me say that I have never questioned my Dad's sanity, so I think we're safe.)
So my Dad would shoot out "brights", while I, pathetically, buy starch. Perhaps that's a sign that I didn't "TOTALLY" lose it. . . . Maybe it was just a partial loss? Not that I want to shoot anything, or anything like that. It's just . . . starch?
So, how about you? What do you do, or where do you go when you "lose it?"
Ben learned this darling song/riddle at school.
I am not a drumstick, no not yet.
I need to eat more, so fat I get.
Corn is what I like, and lots of grain.
Sometimes I gobble. Can you guess my name?
[Hint: You're supposed to answer "Turkey!"]
I see you've guessed my name on your first try.
I have a problem and you know why.
Could you be so kind? I have one wish.
Help me out, and EAT SOME FISH!!!!
(The tune is very similar to "I'm a little Tea Pot")
As an addendum to my last post:
my feelings of being "robbed" and "beaten" have nothing whatsoever to do with being released from being Primary president, or with being called into the Relief Society presidency. I loved serving in Primary. It had it's wonderful moments, and it's stressful moments, just as any calling does. I was privileged to serve with wonderful sisters. I am very much looking forward to serving with the sisters in the new RS presidency, and with being in RS after being away for so many years. I am wondering, however, if there is any way I could talk the new president into instituting a "wiggle song" about half-way through the lesson -- I'm not sure I can make it all the way through without it!
Anyway, I just thought I ought to clarify!
As I said my prayers this morning, I was feeling down, and the words that I used to describe how I was feeling were “robbed” and “beaten”. (And they were, perhaps, a bit dramatic.) I didn’t mean them at all in a physical way, and it wasn’t until after I had said them that the connection to the parable of the Good Samaritan came into my mind. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, the man on the side of the road had been robbed and beaten, physically. I realized that we usually just try to relate to the Good Samaritan in the story. Suddenly I felt that we should remember that we are all, at one time or another, the guy on the side of the road.
This life can be very hard. There are many ways that we can be, or at least feel “robbed”: robbed of time with loved ones; robbed of experiences we longed for; robbed of opportunities; and “beaten”: beaten by circumstances beyond our control; beaten by the cares and worries of life; etc.
With this in mind, we can each be the Good Samaritan as well. In the parable, the Good Samaritan could see the wounds, and the physical needs of the man were evident. The parable states that the Good Samaritan had compassion on this man and went to him and bound up his wounds, and gave him relief and placed him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
Our dear Sister Hinckley has said, “Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a battle." Remembering that, and realizing that the wounds of those around us are often invisible to the naked eye, our “binding up of wounds” and our “giving of relief” must truly be guided by the compassion of our hearts and by the Spirit. Compassion is an attribute of Christ. The more we practice this attribute, the more we will become like Christ. Perhaps that is why there is so much opportunity for practicing this in the world. Perhaps there are so many chances to be both the guy on the side of the road, and the Good Samaritan, because there are so many lessons to be learned from both sides of the street—so to speak.
P.S. I'm really o.k., the Lord, Himself, is very good at binding up wounds when we allow Him to see them. I'm feeling much better. Plus I felt like I got a nice insight.
I have a friend--a mother of four--who locks her husband out of her home from time to time after particularly trying days. She refuses to let him into the house until he promises not to make her repeat anything for the rest of the night. I understand how she feels.
I am now convinced that my computer has been spending too much time with my children. How do I know? Let me give you an example of recent interactions with my computer:
Close. Close. Clooose. CLOSE. Close.Close.Close.
Fine. I'll pull out the big guns. The All-Powerful Ctrl-Alt-Delete Windows Task Manager!
Status: This program is not responding. Oh really?! I hadn't noticed.
End Task. End Now. End Task. End Now. End Taask. End NooW. End Task. End Task. End Task. End Now. End Now. End Now.
It is at about this point that I begin growling and muttering under my breath, and that Ben suggests that we just throw the computer off of the deck.
If my computer thinks that I will keep it around indefinitely simply because it hears me repeat commands enlessly to my children day in and day out, and because it knows I would never throw my wonderful, though hard of hearing, children off of the deck, it is sorely mistaken. It does serve a purpose, and for the moment, I cannot afford to replace it. But, make no mistake Mr. Dell Desktop YOU ARE REPLACEABLE.
My children, on the other hand, are priceless and completely irreplaceable. The occasional irritation of the repetition which they require is far outweighed by the utter miracles of their very existence and by the blessing that it is to be their mother! So, while I may inevitably need to repeat such phrases as, "Brianna don't hit your brother with the battle-ax!" and, "Ben, your sister is NOT a toy!" On the other hand, Mr. Dell Desktop, your owner's manual states that all I should need to do is to click on the red 'X' and you should immediately close the program indicated. You, I can upgrade, and believe you me, I will. So, just think about that the next time you decide that you can't quite understand the simple command "close."
I had kind of a rough week last week. At the end of the week, I proposed an alternate plan for our future in the event that we should finish residency and find that post-residency life was just as demanding and stressful. I proposed that we run away together with our little family and live happily off of the land. (If you know me very well, you know how funny this actually is, but you had to know my frame of mind at the time.)
James replies, "We aren't going to be fugitives, we'd have to pay off our debts."
"We'd sell carrots!" I reply. Adding, "And we'd grow DANG good carrots! . . . Oh, and don't forget, I can still give massages! And you! You can still remove EARS!"
Can you believe it??! James didn't think this was a great plan?
So, today, in a much better mood, and thinking much more clearly, I've decided that we could just go into modeling. I've even put together a sample portfolio, . . . just in case. Just let me know what you think. I definitely think we have a future, but your feedback would be appreciated. Be honest. I can hack it.
He quickly returned and happily announced that his room was "done!"
I called out to him, "Ben, I'm surprised that you told me that your room was done when it's a mess." He replied, "Well, to my eyes it's done."
