Broken Things to Mend

In Nazareth, the narrow road,

That tires the feet and steals the breath,

Passes the place where once abode 

The Carpenter of Nazareth.

And up and down the dusty way

The village folk would often wend;

And on the bench, beside Him, lay

Their broken things for Him to mend.

The Maiden with the doll she broke,

The woman with the broken chair,

The man with broken plough, or yoke,

Said, “Can you mend it, Carpenter?”

And each received the thing he sought,

In yoke, or plough, or chair, or doll;

The broken thing which each had brought 

Returned again a perfect whole.

So up the hill the long years through,

With heavy step and wistful eye,

The burdened souls their way pursue,

Uttering each the plaintive cry:

“O Carpenter of Nazareth,

This heart, that’s broken past repair,

This life, that’s shattered night to death,

Oh, can You mend them Carpenter?”

And by His kind and ready hand,

His own sweet life is woven through

Our broken lives, until they stand

A New Creation—“all things new.”

“The shattered [substance] of [the] heart,

Desire, ambition, hope, and faith,

Mould Thou into the perfect part,

O, Carpenter of Nazareth!”

--Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (Broken Things to Mend, April LDS General Conference, 2006)

Go On

Found this poem today and wanted to share:

When you come to the Red Sea place in your life
In spite of all you can do
There is no way back, there is no way round
There is no way but through
Then know God with a soul serene 
And the dark and the storm are gone
God stills the wind
God stills the waves
God says to your soul "Go on"

--Baird T. Spalding

Help Thou My Unbelief (Mark 9:17-27)

Part of the promise of the Atonement is the blessing that comes after all we can do.  When we are not enough, Christ can make up the difference.  But we have to ask Heavenly Father, in the name of Christ, for the added strength.  For drawing closer to Christ is not an event but a process. As we walk along that trail, we will find not only that Christ is aware of our limitations but that, after all we can do, He will compensate for them.  The sense of falling short or falling down is a natural part of each of our lives.  But we need to believe that after all we can do, Christ can fill that which is empty, straighten our bent parts, and make strong that which is weak (Freeman, Emily; 21 Days Closer to Christ).

Mark 9:17-27 relates the poignant story of a man whose son has been suffering with a horrible malady that has racked his body and soul since he was a child.  The man has enough faith to approach Christ's disciples to ask for help.  He hopes they hold the power to heal his son; however, they are not spiritually prepared to answer such a daunting request (see Mark 9:28-29).  He then continues his efforts on behalf of his son by approaching the Savior.  The pleading of this man, the way he describes his child's suffering, and what happens next melts my mother heart as I think of times when I have sought the Savior's blessings on behalf of my own children in the midst of their sufferings.

17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;

18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.

19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.

20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.

21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.

22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.

23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth

24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.

26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.

27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose 

Tears came to my eyes today as I read this heart-wrenching account of a humble parent desperately seeking a miracle from a source that he hoped had the power to give it.  He believed enough to ask, and that belief grew into faith as he turned his son over to Christ.  After hearing this father's humble plea for compassion, Jesus makes a statement that can apply to all of us, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.  

I picture the Savior standing eye-to-eye with this tormented father, piercing his broken heart with love and understanding.  Perhaps this good man felt that his seed of faith was not enough, that he needed Christ to help him overcome his lingering doubts; thus, his emotional outcry,  Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief.  The Savior's answer came in the form of this man's sought after miracle.  His child was healed, and "Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up."  

I believe that this lifting up was not only manifest in the physical change that took place in the son, but in the spiritual strengthening of the father's faith in the Son of God.  What miracles could take place in my life if I were to ask God each day to "help thou my unbelief" in areas where I feel I am lacking?  I plan on finding out! 

Let Go and Let God

     Today in my studies, I came across this quote by C.S. Lewis.  You may have heard it before, but it is a reminder worth reading again.  

      Imagine yourself as a living house.  God comes in to rebuild that house.  At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing.  He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on:  you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised.  But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense.  What on earth is He up to?  The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of—throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards.  You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage:  but He is building a palace. . . .

The command “Be ye perfect” is not idealistic gas.  Nor is it a command to do the impossible.  He is going to make us into creatures that can obey that command.  He said (in the Bible) that we were “gods” and He is going to make good His words.  If we let Him—for we can prevent Him, if we choose—He will make the feeblest and filthiest of us into a god or goddess, dazzling, radiant, immortal creature, pulsating all through with such energy and joy and wisdom and love as we cannot now imagine. . . .  The process will be long and in parts very painful; but that is what we are in for.  Nothing less.  He meant what He said.”

Jesus Has Rules

I came across the following story today from the book, Worth the Wrestle, by Sheri Dew.  I loved its message so much that I decided to share it on my blog.

A friend who teaches preschool related a conversation she had with a boy in her preschool class.  From the beginning of the school year, this teacher noticed how kind this boy was.  He was "all boy" during recess, but kind and considerate to everyone in the classroom.  One day she pulled him aside and said, "Brandon, you are such a good member of this class.  Why are you so kind to everyone?"

His immediate response was a matter-of-fact:  "Because Jesus has rules."

Trying to contain her grin, the teacher probed further.  "What does that mean?"

He responded without hesitating:  "If we want Jesus to help us, we have to follow His rules."

My friend concluded, "There you have it, the secret of a great life reduced to two sentences by a four-year-old."

Crossing the Great Waters

I have been reading the book, More than a Tattooed Mormon, by Al Caraway, a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  In the chapter entitled, New Life, she describes the difficulties of being rejected by those whom she had loved because of her new-found faith and the trials that followed her baptism.  She turned to God and the scriptures for strength and peace.  I was impressed that she turned to God instead of away from Him during her times of great loneliness and heartache.  She took her "Why" questions to Him--an example we can all learn from.

At the end of this chapter, she compares the story of the people of Jared to her own journey (Ether 6:1-12, Book of Mormon).  As I studied and applied these scriptures and her words to my own life, I gained some amazing insights.  The scriptures truly are for us and can help us face our challenges.  Ether 6 provides us with perspective when we find ourselves wondering why our particular heartaches and struggles continue for what seems like forever, or why we have to deal with them at all.  The story relates the journey of Jared and his brother and their families as they traveled across the sea to this continent--their promised land.  It is a story of faith, as they built ships according to the specifications that the Lord had given them--ships that would withstand the dark, suffocating waters of the ocean.  They were described as "vessels being tight like unto a dish," so that no water could get in, even when they were "buried in the deep."

Often in the scriptures, the Lord describes people as "vessels."  As I read this chapter, I feel a desire to make sure that my vessel is tight, sealed with faith in Christ, so that the influences of the world cannot not affect my spirit.  I wonder how I can help my children and grandchildren seal their vessels against the powerful influences of the outside world on this journey that God requires of us in order to reach a better place.

The journey for the Jaredites was long and fraught with storms and a furious wind, and yet the Lord did not leave them without light.  Miraculous stones of light were provided for each end of each vessel, so that even when they were buried in the deep, they could still see the light.  And thus the Lord caused stones to shine in darkness, to give light unto men, women, and children, that they might not cross the great waters in darkness (verse 3).  I love that this scripture does not just say people.  I feel like God is telling us that he cares about the needs of men, women, and children--that one group does not dominate another or have more status in the eyes of God.  I feel like He is talking to me, letting me know that I do not have to cross my own great waters or face the dark depths of suffering or great and terrible tempests without His continuous light, that even though mountain waves may break upon me, they will not break me, as long as my vessel, my spirit, remains tight.

I love what Al Caraway states about this chapter:  Not once were they left alone.  And though the storm seemed to be preventing them from progressing, it was actually helping them travel toward the place they needed to go--the promised land (verse 8).  So it is with the many struggles we face on our journey.  Sometimes the very things we wish would just go away are actually leading us to a better place.

These people acted on their faith. They got into their vessels.  They faced the monsters of the sea and  made it to a place that God had prepared--a place that was so much better than what they had left behind.

Why were they successful under nearly impossible circumstances?

• They acted in faith and did what God told them to do.  They built their ship and formed it the way He wanted it built.
• After they had done all that they could do, they commended themselves unto the Lord their God  (verse 4).  
• They prayed continually:  . . . 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 (verse 7).
• They showed gratitude:  . . . 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 (verse 9).
• They were humble and acknowledged the hand of God in their lives:  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 (verse 12).

In all of the discouragement you may feel now--all of your sorrow, sadness, loneliness, darkness, and "storms" of life you may be traveling through right now--look to this story.  Look to the light you do have, even if it seems as small as a stone.  Look to the Lord.  Look for His hand, even when you feel buried under the waves of mortality.  He is always there with you, always guiding you.  We need to trust that everything God does is to help us receive greater blessings in life.  When you are trying to do what God will have you do, know that those hard times are moving you closer to where He needs you to be.  Our trials move us closer to where things are greater than they ever could have been before.  Your stormy journey may be taking much longer than you desire or feel you have strength the endure, but do not let discouragement stop you from trying and turning to Him.  Hard times will consistently be there--that won't change--but so will Christ.  And with Him we are able to overcome and conquer absolutely everything--every feeling of loneliness, discomfort, weakness, sadness, and temptation. Do not let your trials dictate and alter your perception of truths and promises given.  Hold on to what you know; it will be your anchor in the storms.  He will never give up on you.  Do not give up on Him"  (Al Carraway).

Faith in Jesus Christ

I learned some powerful lessons yesterday as I studied the concept of faith.  I looked up "faith" in the Bible dictionary and studied Hebrews 11.  My daughter encouraged me to publish my thoughts on my blog after I shared them in a letter to my family.  So here goes!

Lately, I have been pondering and studying the principle of faith.  I think I have always believed that my faith should somehow make it so that God would take away suffering when it becomes too painful, or that my faith should be rewarded sooner rather than later, that I should receive constant reassurance that the decisions I am making are right.  While this might sometimes be the case, this is not the purpose of faith.  Today I had a powerful spiritual experience.  I decided to study the Bible Dictionary’s definition of faith, which led me to Hebrews 11.  I have read this chapter before, but never had the power of its message hit me like it did today.  This chapter is a commentary on faith.  I have learned today after studying and pondering it why faith is the first principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Article of Faith number 4 does not just say “Faith,” it says, “First, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.”  Actionable faith must be based on our belief in Jesus Christ.  In order to receive the gift of faith in our lives, we have to recognize Christ’s essential role in our lives and then obey Him like our lives depend on it because they do.

I would encourage you to study the Bible Dictionary’s definition of faith and read the scriptures that go along with it.  You will find that faith is a principle of action and power.  We can have faith and confidence in anything we choose to, but if we don’t have faith in Jesus Christ, our faith will not produce salvation.  Because of the way He lived, because of His perfect character and the attributes He exemplified, we can “place confidence in Him without reservation.”  Faith is work.  It begins by hearing God’s word.  It continues by acting up it.

I have noticed in my study that answers to prayer, even by great men, did not come easy to them.  Some describe themselves as “wrestling” with God to describe their labor-intensive prayers as they sought for His answers and His help.  As I study their “wrestle” (The Book of Mormon, Alma 8:10 and Enos 1), I am learning that engaging God requires an intense desire or hunger for help, answers, forgiveness, or whatever it is we desire from Him.  I have learned that answers take time (Enos 1:4).  I have learned that we must seek repentance before clear answers can come.  I have learned that as we engage God with all of our faculties (our heart, might, mind, and strength), we can feel a wholeness that we otherwise would not have known or understood (Enos 1:8).  If we have faith (even the smallest desire), then we must wrestle, and as we wrestle, our faith grows.  There are many instances in the scriptures where Christ refers to faith.  He wants us to know that we have an active part to play in our “wholeness,” that it takes both our active engagement of Him and the gift of His grace to improve, draw closer to Him, and ultimately achieve eternal life.  As He said to the women who was healed after just barely touching His robe, “They faith hath made thee whole,” so it can be for us.

Hebrews 11 reaffirms this “wrestle.”  Today I gained a greater understanding of the great struggle that good men and women throughout history have had to endure in order to grow and stand strong in their faith.  I have learned that we cannot assume that because we have faith, our lives will be and should be easier.  I have learned the true meaning of Elder Uchtdorf’s quote, “Doubt your doubts and not your faith.”  If our faith centers on Jesus Christ, we have no reason to doubt Him.  He has not given us one.   It follows then, that obedience to His commandments, to His gospel, should be the way we exercise and strengthen our faith. 

Please read and ponder Hebrews 11, making sure that you read the Joseph Smith Translation of verse 40.  As you read about the examples of faithful people, apply their experiences to your own lives.

Listed below are some powerful principles and lessons that this chapter taught me:

• Faith is a principle of obedience.  There will be times in our lives when faith requires us to obey God without knowing where that obedience will lead.  Abraham provided a beautiful example of this when he was called by God to go to a strange land and he “obeyed, and he went out, not knowing whither he went.”  Sometimes we are led to paths in our lives by God that may seem strange or uncomfortable for us at first, only to find out that He has led us to something better for us than we could have imagined.  In some cases, we may not find this out until after this life is over.
• Ultimately our faith will require us to “forsake Egypt,” whatever sinful behavior or worldly attitude that might mean for us.
• Faith means, “esteeming the reproach of Christ” as more important than “the treasure of Egypt” (or the world).
• Faith sometimes requires us to choose to “suffer affliction with the people of God” rather than “enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.”
• None of the people referred to in this chapter had easy lives by any stretch of the imagination.  The more they acted according to their faith in Christ, the more they felt like “strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”  They sought a country that could not be found here.  They felt desire for “a better country, that is an heavenly” place prepared for the faithful after this faith-building experience we call earth life is over.  Faith is meant to propel us to hope for a better life to come so that we don’t focus too much on the pleasures and pain of this one.
• Even Joseph Smith, who obviously had incredible faith, was stretched to the limits of his physical and mental capacity, and he, like so many of the faithful people described in this chapter, died in faith, without seeing the fruits of their steadfast faith.
• We do not receive the full blessings of faith in this life.  Faith requires patience and hope.  Prophets throughout the scriptures saw the blessings and promises of their faith “afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them,” without receiving the full promises and blessings in their lifetime, and yet they still remained true to their faith in Jesus Christ. 
• Faith requires us to give our lives to God in such a way that we are willing to sacrifice anything He requires of us.
• Having faith means forsaking what is comfortable, natural, or worldly.
• Faith means not following the visible societal trends around us, but instead “seeing Him who is invisible.”  It is seeing, feeling, and doing what our heart feels and knows is right without having to see it with our eyes.
• When I came to the reference to the parting of the Red Sea, a question popped into my mind.  What are the Red Seas in my life that I have to part in order to pass over to God’s side and become more like Christ?  What is keeping me from Him?
• When I came to the account of the walls of Jericho, I thought, what walls do I need God to tear down for me and how much faith-filled effort am I willing to give in order to obtain this blessing?
• Sometimes the rewards of our faith are evident but sometimes we must suffer in order to continue faithful.  Verse 35:  “By faith . . . women received their dead raised to life again:  and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection . . ."
• We cannot assume that because we have faith our lives will be and should be easier.  Faith gives us the strength to endure hard things, and sometimes it is because we choose to stand as a witness of our faith that others use their agency to cause us suffering.  One who has the power of faith is consistently striving to transform his/her character to the point where he/she could not deny their belief and hope in Christ.  Their desire for heavenly blessings precludes all worldly comfort, accolades, and pleasures.  Their faith is transforming their character in such a way that they are willing to endure sufferings in order to remain true to their God.
• Sometimes we get so upset with God that our faith isn’t “rewarded” immediately.  We forget that true faith means faith in Christ, that He understands us, that He will help us, and that ultimately, if not in this life, then when this life is over, He will deliver us.  Faith is the actionable reassurance that this earth life is but a means to an end.
• How can I be so small minded as to think that I can receive the blessings of eternity, the blessings of Christ, without also knowing that if He, a perfect man, was required to suffer because of his “faith,” why wouldn’t I be as well.  Faith molds us into perfect vessels of the Lord.
• The Joseph Smith translation of the last verse (40) reads:  “God having provided some better things for them through their sufferings, for without sufferings they could not be made perfect.”  This pretty much gives us the answer as to why good, faithful people still suffer in this life.
•  Faith goes against the grain of the world.  The more faith we obtain through our faithful obedience, the more “homeless” and often uncomfortable we feel with the world we live in (verses 37-38).
• God wants us to increase our faith not so that we can be happier in this life (although this is often the result).  He wants us to increase our faith so that we can have joy in the next life.
• “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).  We need faith in Christ because life is hard, and while having faith does not necessarily change our circumstances, it allows Christ to give us the strength and power to deal with them.

I hope you will study the things I have referred to.  They have changed the way I feel about the essential role of faith in Christ.  They have increased my sense of urgency to establish my priorities to match my faith.  I would also recommend reading, “The Transforming Power of Faith and Character” by Richard G. Scott, from the October 2010 General Conference.    

The Transforming Power of Faith and Character