Where is Wisdom Spoken? Where is Instruction Given?

10/8/2012

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Like many priesthood holders I look forward to General Priesthood Meeting as it comes around every six months. We are a blessed people. Seriously. Think of it this way: One of the many consequences of a highly digitized and connected world is a proliferation of opinion and counter opinion. It is easy to become confused. It is easy to wander after any number of voices. But with a prophet of God to guide and direct it is easy to rise above the fray and see clearly.

So it was that as I listened to President Monson speak about young men and missionary work I felt troubled. His words have never been truer and I am sure his words found their mark among many who needed to hear it. But there are many who need to hear a different message, perhaps. Would it not be refreshing if President Monson were to stand at the front of the Conference Center and say, "Now, to all you young men and women who were unable to complete your missions, for whatever reason, here's what I have to say to you..."

Were that to happen I suppose his words might be thus: Put your life in order and then put your shoulder to the wheel. There is much work to be done whether it be half way across the world as an elder set apart to preach the word of God or as an elder in a student ward.

Any surprises there? Is it necessary for President Monson to address this group?

I don't know. That's a question I'll have to ask of my son some time soon. But I've phrased President Monson's remarks incorrectly. What I would find most thoughtful is something different. He would stand in front of the Conference Center and he'd say, "Now, to all you parents who have endured the heartbreak and disappointment of having a son or daughter return from their missions early, for whatever reason, here's what I have to say to you..."

How precious his words would be.

This blog is about peace and that last line does not resonate with peace. The stated objective of this blog is to help others get their arms around a big fat epic disappointment and then move on. Getting a personal message from the prophet would be something, right. But that's not going to happen--at least not in front of millions in General Conference. 

Jesus said, I'm sending you text messages all the time and you never write back; I'm sending you e-mail but it's getting caught in your spam filter. He said, all you have to do is hit the reply button to open up a meaningful dialog. (Nephi likened the scriptures unto themselves so they could be better understood, so I've taken some license here.) 

So here's a message that resonates with peace, my friends: Get on your knees and let Jesus take from your shoulders that weight you're feeling. He said, my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Is it that easy? It just may be.

For those of you who have just received the worst news, it probably doesn't get any worse than how it feels right now. For me, speaking with others who know how I feel has been great medicine, and that includes frequent, blunt conversations with God. After all, I'm pretty sure He's felt more disappointment and
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"The Announcement"

10/6/2012

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With the announcement made by President Monson today, it’s hard to think of anything else but missions once again.  As soon as “the announcement” was made, social media lit up.  Facebook and Twitter had nothing but comments ranging from how soon their kids could serve, how many kids they could have out at one time, transferring money from the tuition savings account to the mission account, to there being no freshman at BYU next year.  While increasing the opportunities for young men and young women to serve is always a good thing, I can’t help but hope this does not turn into a double edge sword.

I have wondered all day today that if that announcement had been made even eighteen months ago, would it have impacted my son and our family differently?  My son graduated from high school as a young senior, he turned 18 three months later, and we had a full year to wait before he could serve.  And I know now in that year Satan won the battle for his ability to serve as we found out the hard way.  I can see how in that year it is a very long time for young men to wait and even more opportunities for them to lose their eligibility or desire to serve.

  My daughter, who is 18, has many, many young men friends that have been bothered by having to wait a year – they want to serve.  They want nothing more than to be out there on their missions and according to their Facebook statutes tonight, their papers will go in by the end of the week.  They cannot be more excited and I’m so excited for them.   They are worthy, they are willing, and they are ready so why make them wait?

My fear for many young men is this:  will they feel even more pressured and obligated to serve?  How do we not start wondering why one young man is out serving at 18 and why another may be waiting until he’s 19?  Will we start associating those serving at 18 as more worthy than those that choose not to serve that young?  There are huge gaps in maturity at that age and what happens if we start sending too many kids, and these are kids we are dealing with, out to serve before they are prepared?  Will we see more young men coming home than we ever have before?  As one mother who has walked that road, I pray that does not happen.  I wouldn’t wish that on anyone

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