Ask the Right Question

Something I've thought many times about the gospel and life in general is the importance of questions. Recently, I've been *shock* re-evaluating my life and asking myself some questions. Whenever I start asking the Lord questions based on what I decide, I find that at least some of my questions aren't going to get answered. Often, it's not because he doesn't have anything to say about what I'm trying to figure out, but because I haven't asked the right questions.

It always amuses me to then think of the movie I Robot. The detective in the movie has a holographic program that helps guide him towards the questions that will solve what is going on.

The one thing that frequently is said by this program is "my responses are limited, you must ask the right questions." I feel like frequently, what the Lord gives us is limited, not by his ability to answer, but by his desire to help us grow and use our agency effectively. So whenever I get frustrated like Detective Spooner does, with the lack of answers, I remember that it'll be for my good. Then I usually find that if I do ask the right questions, the way opens up and I can see what I need to do next.

So, just to fill you in on the questions in my life:

HOW to get into grad school?

WHEN to try to get into grad school?

and one that I always try to make sure is answered with a yes:

Am I doing everything God wants me to do?

I find that my life is happy right now, and having been asking and seeking answers to those questions has been very helpful. I love my current job, and it's not where I think I'll be for a career, but I certainly am thankful for that blessing, as well as friends, roommates, and family to help me when I feel lost.

Brightness

It occurred to me today during church, why certain descriptions are what they are. I mean, feet as burnished brass, fire, lightning, etc.  What other bright sources of light were there in ancient times, the sun? It only makes sense to describe something incredibly bright in those terms.  Joseph Smith's ability to describe what he saw isn't significantly better in describing how incredibly bright the glory of heavenly being is. It seems like it's basically unimaginable how bright it is.  Just a thought anyway.

Why? ... okay, Why? ... really, Why?

A recent conversation with a friend triggered something in my head. Part of what makes me who I am, is that I am incessantly asking the question "why?"  I'm like that little kid that every time you give them an answer they ask why again.  I think I only give the courtesy of reprieve because I'm processing the answers I get, and at least some acknowledgement of how annoying being asked why over and over again is.  But ultimately, along every line of questions I come to a question that just can't be answered.  At least not yet

Much like one of my favorite videos asking: "What are birds?"


Of course, we just don't know.

In any case, I'll get all my answers eventually, I keep looking, I keep trying, I keep working at it.  I just need to remember why I'm doing it.

Manliness

It was a good thanksgiving break. I got quite a bit done of things I needed to do, but I also got some good time in with my family.  Mostly, the time I spent with them was good, there wasn't actually a lot of it.  But amongst every, I was reminded somewhere amongst all the taking care of things around the house in Provo, and being ready for the storm, that my Dad really did teach me a lot of manly skills.  I'm really grateful for it, because they've helped me out on numerous occasions. But there is more to being manly than just handy man skills, there is a great website called The Art of Manliness that often has information all types of this stuff.  This recent post reminded me of something else I saw while I was at home.  The poem the Man in the Glass:

When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world crowns you king for a day,
Just go to the mirror and take a look at yourself
And see what that man has to say.

For it isn't your Father or Mother or wife
Whose judgment upon you must pass,
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.


Some people might think you're a straight-shooting chum
And call you a wonderful guy.
But the man in the glass says you're only a bum
If you can't look him straight in the eye.

He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest,
For he's with you clear to the end
And you've passed your most dangerous test, if the man in the glass is your friend.

You may fool all the world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass
but your final reward will be heartache and tears
if you've cheated the man in the glass.

-Unknown

I can still almost recite that poem.  It was first shown to me by my brother who was given it from the track coach. A coach I later had myself.  While that coach may not have been the most stellar example of all gospel principles, he certainly gave a good example in a lot of aspects of life.  A bunch of great talks on charity today, taught me how much good there is to look for and see in other people. I hope to develop more of the attributes of manliness I see in those around me, and I also hope to be an example to those around me.  Although, for now, I feel like I pass the test, I've always done my best, and though if I could I would make different decisions, I've always made the best decisions I could with the understanding and experience I've had at the time.

Ultimately, though, this is the true manliness I aspire to, and the man in the glass I want to see is Jesus Christ:
 Moroni 7:48
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

But for now, I'll have to be content with what I have, because as Paul talks about comparing now to that time that we will meet the saviour:
 1 Corinthians 13:12
 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Mission Reunion

It's that time of year, right before conference, when mission reunions are held.  I have the fortunate pleasure of having my mission president live in Orem.  In fact he teaches at BYU.  So along with the others from my mission, I can see him fairly often.  That being said, I usually don't see them much, so it's  always good to see those men that I had the privilege of serving with and be able to catch up on how they're doing in life.

However, better than be able to catch up with them though, was the spiritual rejuvenation, and reminders of my purpose and mission in life.  I'd noticed recently that I haven't been progressing spiritually like I'd like to be.  So it was really good to sit with my fellow Brethren (and their wives, there were sisters in my mission, but they almost all were from the Polynesian islands) and feel the spirit, and share and rejoice in the gospel together just like zone conferences in the mission.

More interestingly and something that happened during the mission as well.  Prior to zone conference the spirit would whisper to me what I should study to be prepared.  I was grateful to have those promptings to once again prepare me to hear the things I needed to hear.

Ultimately, I'm grateful for the strength Gospel of Jesus Christ gives, and brings into my life, and the knowledge that he did not send us here to fail, rather he prepared us from the foundation of the world and we are ready for what is required of us in life.