When you are working on your life directions, it rarely comes together all at once. When Nephi was commanded to build a ship, he said:

We did work timbers of curious workmanship. And the Lord did show me from time to time after what manner I should work the timbers of the ship,” (1 Nephi 18:1).

There seems to be a life lesson in that it’s in moving forward that we’re in a position to receive the guidance we need most from heaven.  For today’s thought, consider these words from Richard G. Scott:

I am convinced that there is no simple formula or technique that would immediately allow you to master the ability to be guided by the voice of the Spirit. Our Father expects you to learn how to obtain that divine help by exercising faith in Him and His Holy Son, Jesus Christ. Were you to receive inspired guidance just for the asking, you would become weak and ever more dependent on Them. They know that essential personal growth will come as you struggle to learn how to be led by the Spirit.

What may appear initially to be a daunting task will be much easier to manage over time as you consistently strive to recognize and follow feelings prompted by the Spirit. Your confidence in the direction you receive from the Holy Ghost will also become stronger,” (“To Acquire Spiritual Guidance”  October 2009 General Conference).

Questions to Consider

• Where can I specifically benefit from the Lord’s Guidance in my life?
• What can I do to more consistently be in a position to receive further guidance from the Lord?

In our readings this year in the Book of Mormon, something stood out to me that hadn’t before (funny how that works, eh?). After Nephi breaks his bow and the family repents for murmuring, Nephi makes a comment regarding how the Liahona works (you can review the story here).

And it came to pass that I, Nephi beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them,” (1 Nephi 16:28).

The ball with pointers (the Liahona) has often been used by the authors of the Book of Mormon and teachers today as a type and symbol for the Holy Ghost and the word of God in our life. We regularly speak of the importance of faith and diligence but I don’t think I ever noticed the third component. I found myself asking, “what did Nephi mean by the word ‘heed’? Faith would suggest trust and reliance on the direction from the Liahona and diligence might suggest the effort we put into following its instructions–so perhaps heed suggests the completeness of our obedience. In sports we would call that the ‘follow through.’

Each of us have different areas where our follow through might be lacking. May the Lord give us eyes to see where we can improve.

 

Questions to Consider

• How would I describe to the Savior my faith, diligence and heed to his teachings?
• What can I do to follow through better on my obedience?

 

A recent Facebook post has shown up on my wall a number of times. It’s a simple picture of Brigham Young  and underneath it reads:

Know the Code:

Named three schools after him . . . and we can’t have beards?

There were many posts for and against the picture.  I considered my personal feelings on the matter and determined that for “me and my house,” (Joshua 24:15) this was our reply:

Beards? Flip-flops? Shorts? Doesn’t matter. I voluntarily chose to live by that standard and I think it’d be dishonest of me to complain and murmur against it after I signed on.

I’ve gotten a few comments back that made me think it might be best if I explain my reasoning and what I meant by it. Before I explain why I feel it would be dishonest, I need to make a few distinctions:

First,

I’ll say that this was not intended to be a judgment or reflection on anyone else’s opinion on the matter. It’s just how I weighed the issue and deemed that for me, my circumstances and my conscience, this is where I stand. I recognize that the author intended it as a joke but it has give many an opportunity to object to the Honor Code, Dress and Grooming standards.  In the spirit of  that discussion I thought I would clarify my position.

Second,

when it comes to matters like this, I think there is distinction between struggling to understand the logic behind a standard and encouraging the dissent of others.  You can probably guess what category I think a viral Facebook post falls under.

Third,

To help clarify my statement above, let’s go beyond the immediate issue of the “Know the Code” parody, let’s consider a bigger question:

Why are covenants, commitments and codes so important in the learning process?

You may disagree with the honor code but with any concern or disagreement with a church position** there is a pattern set up in the first few chapters of the Book of Mormon. I’m referring to how Nephi reacted to the news of leaving Jerusalem compared to that of Laman and Lemuel.

**(Anyone who thinks that the Honor Code and Dress and Grooming Standards ares just policies and not a question of doctrine needs to read or review the mission statement and aims of any church school)

Consider the complaining that Laman and Lemuel pulled at the beginning of their exodus.  Were their concerns sincere? I think so–after all they had left all their riches and belongings and traveled about 200 miles or so before they first made camp. Then as it became more evident that yes, Dad is actually planning for us to never return to Jerusalem, they doubted and resented this lifestyle change. In their own words it was a hard thing asked of them.

I have no doubt that this was hard for everyone in the family. The difference is that while Laman and Lemuel doubted, complained and murmured, Nephi sought to understand the wisdom of the Lord. I find it very interesting that Nephi said he desired to know for himself what to make of this situation.  Note how he described the response he received: “[the Lord] did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father” (1 Nephi 2:16 emphasis added). It appears that Nephi had his own doubts on this permanent vacation into the wilderness?

I believe the injunction of the Master still stands: Ask, and ye shall find; Knock, and it shall be opened unto you. So in that respect,  after so many open invitations to receive revelation on any matter that troubles us and after all the prophets and apostles have taught for more than forty years on the reasons why Honor, Dress and Grooming are important matters at BYU—given all that, I think it’s very close to dishonest to continue to protest.

By refusing to seek or acknowledge the answers that God has given and will give, it’s in effect stating, as Laman and Lemuel told Nephi ‘the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us,’ which is a lie, and thus dishonest. Nephi had to continually remind Laman and Lemuel that they had received witnesses: from angels to testimonies to being shocked and even hearing the voice of the Lord.  To me, Rick’s viral Facebook post (and other objections to church policy or doctrine like it) hardly resemble Nephi’s humble spirit of seeking truth and instead hits much closer to Laman and Lemuel’s refusing to accept the Lord’s invitation even though they had no reason to doubt that they would get an answer.

But I don’t think that’s the most dishonest part.

Sure Laman and Lemuel went along (in body) with the journey, but where was their heart? They made it to the promised land, but what was the end result of their complaining? How many blessings did they miss out on because they chose to harden their hearts?

Now will protesting shaving result in the murderous rage that eventually consumed Laman and Lemuel? Hopefully not, but a heart that fails to yield to the standards of the church (even if obedient in action) will harden. Sad experience teaches us that those who harden their hearts are much more likely to fall into sin sooner or later.

Consider, then, the great spiritual protection that comes out of a scenario where a student voluntarily commits himself–in action and in heart–to this special way of life. Consider the self-discipline that emerges from keeping those standards in both body and heart. Matters of chastity or the threat of other serious sins melt away because that student has a keener self-discipline that won’t yield to peer pressure or physical appetites.

It’s important to realize that this doesn’t just apply to a university with an honor code.  You can’t have real learning in this church without covenants and commitments. Baptism comes before the Gift of the  Holy Ghost; Covenants come before tokens; and so Honor comes before a degree.

But why? Why are covenants and commitments and honor codes so important to learning in the church and at the church’s university? That’s a question I’m still trying to understand better but I think one possible answer is this: the Lord requires the heart and willing mind (D&C 64:34). It’s not enough at BYU or as endowed members of the church to obey without a real conversion. How can we become like Him if our heart isn’t pure? The Lord has always had a problem with people who draw near Him with their lips when their heart is far from Him (JS-H 19). Covenants and commitments help us keep our eye single to His glory, mold our hearts and give us access to the atonement to really change and become someone more like Him.

So if you and I give our word to do such-and-such and to live in a certain manner, but in our heart we are only acting grudgingly, isn’t that dishonesty? Or, even worse, what if we then go on to vocally denounce that commitment and encourage the dissent in others: how is that not betraying God’s purpose in asking us to keep that covenant, commitment or code?  And what of those who looked to us for an example: what have we just taught them about the importance of keeping our word? What does it say about our commitment to God to those not of our faith? Can a bad tree give forth good fruit?

“For behold if a man being evil giveth a gift, he doeth it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God” (Moroni 7: 8).

Can someone still have a worthwhile experience at BYU while still harboring dissent? I think so, but I don’t think it will be at the level it could be at. The Lord taught us, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Revelations 3:20). In general, speaking to myself as much to anyone reading this, I believe that we sometimes miss out on spiritual experiences because the doors of our heart are hard to open.

So that’s my personal reasons for holding myself to what I posted.  I am confident that this position is best for me and that regardless of this specific issue, these are true principles. I hope you’ll give some thought to this and make personal applications the best you see fit. God Bless!

We have talked briefly about capital and labor before, but considering the three-day weekend, a scriptural thought on labor: Christ’s Parable of the Laborers found in Matthew 20.

It is interesting to note the context. A young rich man had just approached the Savior asking what he must do to have eternal life. This good young man had kept the commandments from his youth and asked the Master, “What lack I yet?” (Matt. 19:20). The Savior told him that he had but one thing lacking, to go and sell his things and follow him.

This young man went away sorrowing for he had many possessions. This seemed to weigh on the apostles for Peter stepped forward just a few verses later and asks, “Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what have we therefore?” (Matt. 19:27).

The Lord assures them of the blessings that are promised them that believe and then goes on to share the parable of the laborers.

A man who had a field went to marketplace to hire workers for his field. He agreed with certain laborers to pay them a penny for their labors.

As the day progressed this master returned to the marketplace hiring other laborers saying, “whatsoever is right I will give you” (Matt. 20:4). Even at the eleventh hour, this master went to the marketplace, hiring these workers saying, ‘whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive’.

And so it was at the end of the day, the wages were distributed. Every man was given a penny. Naturally those who had worked the whole day felt they were entitled to more since these that had only worked part of the day had received the same wage they had.

The master only asked them if it was not fair, for they had received exactly what they had asked for. Had he dealt with them unjustly?

Considering the original question of Peter, ‘what have we therefore?’ it appears the Lord was warning against trying to pinch pennies with the Lord. I love this quote from Jesus the Christ about this parable:

“[This parable] stands out as truly in force today as when it was delivered by the Master, as a rebuke of the bargaining spirit in the Lord’s work. God needs workers, and such as will labor faithfully and effectively are welcomed into the vineyard. If, before beginning they insist on the stipulation of a wage, and this be agreed to, each shall receive his penny provided he has not lost his place through idleness or transgression. But those who diligently labor, knowing that the Master will give to them whatsoever is right, and with thought for the work and not the wage, shall find themselves more bountifully enriched.”

Elder Talmage goes on to observe how ironic it is to presumptuous it is to ask for a wage in the first place. After all, are we not in His debt anyways already?

I hope as we head to the fields of our respective labor in the church, let us not do it with preconceived notions of the blessings we should get. If we focus on the work and doing the best we can, it’s my testimony that God’s grace is sufficient. He will take care of the wages after all we can do (Consider 2 Nephi 23:25).

Thanks for reading.

The older I get, the more I realize some things just aren’t worth getting upset over. I think as age sets in you realize, hey when I wake up in the morning, it’s not going to be that big of a deal.

Often the cost of being right or making a point outweighs any benefit that might have come.

I feel like this has been an important part of marriage relationship. There are many topics that are not the marginal benefit of being right in a discussion. Why? Because an unhappy or hurt wife costs a whole lot more than the benefit of being right. What profiteth a man if he does get his way but loses his wife? What reward has he?

As my wife and I take long walks and discuss our future as parents (now only 8 weeks away), I feel like this will also be something that I want to keep in mind as our daughter grows up. In those difficult toddler years, I want to focus on the most important lessons and not make a big deal out of every action. I also feel that way she (and her future siblings) will better understand our family’s priorities. If everything is a big deal and I am constantly correcting her, how will she know when something really serious comes around?

When we fail to choose our battles, we run the risk of perpetually calling wolf.

A More Excellent Way

In our day to day interactions with those we care for and or associate with, consider how the Atonement of Jesus Christ can bless your ability to communicate and get along. When the stakes are high and emotions even higher, who better than he who can calm the winds and waves to guide your heart?

I believe the Lord taught us about choosing our battles when he taught us to “[Reprove] betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy; ( D&C 121:43).

In the context of choosing our battles, consider these three principles from the verse above. There are likely others (feel free to use the space below to share your thoughts!) but we’ll start with these three.

Principle #1: Always chose your battles out of love, not anger.

With love as our motive, it greatly softens the sting of reproof or correction. When we speak up out of love, we are not motivated soley by what benefits us, but what benefits the other person as well. Often an important step in this process is frank forgiveness. If we harbor resentment and distrust afterwards, we’re hardly showing an increase in love.

Principle #2: Seek the inspiration of the Holy Ghost in articulating (with sharpness, or clarity) what the concern is.

When the Lord drove the money-changers out of the temple, he first took time to braid a whip. Likewise, it’s wise to take time to prayerfully consider what is the best approach. Is there an underlying principle or value that is being violated? By focusing on a principle or moral, it invites the spirit to testify of truth and it make it easier to avoid defensiveness. Remember, it’s not about who is right, but what is right.

Principle #3: Address concerns betimes, or in a timely manner.

Betimes means quickly or promptly. This prevents bad habits from taking root including the build-up of frustrations on either side.

What do you think? What helps you to keep things in perspective? How do you choose your battles?
Take a moment to share your thoughts in the space below!

Thanks for Reading.

I don’t for the life of me know why, but the other day while driving in the car, I was thinking about the Parthenon in Athens, Greece. I remember from grade school discussing the math and architecture that went into constructing that edifice. Not only does it include principles of counter-perspective (for example, why the pillars look evenly spaced even though they aren’t) but also mathematical principles like the golden ratio.

It’s phenomenal, and they did it thousands of years ago. I mentioned this to my wife who was in the car with me (and who has become acquainted with my random thought processes). I said, “I can’t even begin to think about where I would even begin to start thinking about where to start building something like that.”

She said, “Sometimes it feels like we are a lot dumber today in that respect.”

Perhaps, but even so, I also considered how technology automates so much of the calculations in life. So I asked the question, “or, does it allow us to focus on what’s more important?”

She said she hadn’t thought about it that way before and honestly, neither had I.

Today more than ever, technology and equipment (often referred to as capital in economics), allows people (referred to as labor) to do more. For example, members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are able to conduct regular interviews with potential mission presidents and temple presidents all over the world without leaving Salt Lake. While they are relatively few in number, the Lord’s laborers can extend their reach further with capital. Perhaps you’ve also had a satellite stake conference, where presenters from Salt Lake were able to take the time to deliver a personalized message to your area.

Latter-day saints in the early 1980s experienced a similar “upgrade” with the cross-referenced standard works. What would have taken a great number of individuals to collectively know about the scriptures can now be understood and applied by a single individual.

Today the internet provides access to the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ to virtually anyone. The Lord is blessing the work through these wonderful innovations in technology. Much like the servants we’ve been given talents that if used properly can generate much good and “income” into the Kingdom (remember, he that hath eternal life is rich). I came across this 1981 comment by President Gordon B. Hinckley regarding how technology and innovation will further the work of the Kingdom. I find it particularly remarkable 30 years later how in so many ways his words are coming true.

Thanks for reading.

P.S. The original poster of the YouTube Video is responsible for the video title. While the internet is certainly part of it, I would say President Hinckley’s inspired comment extends much farther.

I currently own a red 1997 Chevy Camaro. As with many old cars it has it’s ‘senior moments’. In fact, last night my father and I worked on replacing the battery for close to two hours while my brother tried to get the driver-side outside handle to work.

Today’s economic principle is what is called a sunk cost. Take the example of an old car. When we ask ourselves whether it is time to get a new (or at least less-old car), we might say, “Yeah, but I’ve spent so much on this car.” A sunk cost is any cost that we have already paid and cannot be recouped and thus should not factor into decision making. What do we focus on? Marginal Benefit and Marginal Cost.

Going back to the car example. Let’s say we expect to replace a number of key, expensive parts in the coming months. Regardless of what we have paid in the past, at this moment, if the cost of those fixes exceed how much it would cost to replace the car with a newer, more reliable car, we’re probably in an ideal situation to sell the car. Not only that, there is a good chance beyond the money saved in continuing repairs, there is a high chance of some revenue being generated by selling the old car.

Examples of Sunk Costs

It was hard as a missionary to see individuals hold onto their ‘sunk costs.’ Perhaps it is something like smoking or another sinful vices. It has costed them so much up to this point, but they lacked the courage or faith to leave it behind, even when the eternal benefit of the gospel of Jesus Christ was in front of their face.

A young lady might find it difficult to give up the expensive clothes she wears. Even though they are immodest, she spent good money for them and they are hard to part with. Her leaders encourage her, citing the blessings and protections that come from obedience to the standards of the gospel.

The people of Ammon buried their weapons of war, full aware of the violence that was stirring in the hearts of fellow Lamanites around them. They felt that “since God hath taken away [their] stains, and [their] swords have become bright,” they saw greater benefit in “[staining their] swords no more with the blood of [their] brethren,” (Alma 24:12)

In high school I purchased a CD of a popular band, only to discover that all of their music centered around immoral actions and violating the law of Chastity. The night before I had just spent $16 in the CD but I determined it wasn’t worth keeping. I gave it away at school the next day.

By learning to identify sunk costs and exclude them from a decision making, we can make the better decision at the present.

Thanks for reading.

The following is an excerpt of the Gospelnomics manuscript. It follows up our discussion last time of marginal benefit and costs (Posted July 8, 2011).

[dropcap]Being able to weigh costs and make good decisions is an important part of our experience on this earth. We learn from Abraham that we will be “[proven] . . . herewith, to see if [we] will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them,” (Abraham 3:25). It’s important to note that in order for us to prove our obedience to what the Lord commands, we will be tested. We will face ambiguity and challenge in the process. It will not always be so easy to figure out where it might lead or if it will not end well. We will need help along the way. That help might come in many forms, but the ultimate source of all assistance is the grace and love of the Savior Jesus Christ.
[/dropcap]

Part of ‘[doing] all things whatsoever the Lord [our] God shall command [us]’ involves relying on the mercy and guidance of the Savior. When we cannot fully judge the costs before us, we must be ever ready to defer to his perfect judgement.

The Savior instructed the early leaders of His restored church on this principle when he said unto them, “But behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if itbe right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right,” (D&C 9:8).

Joseph, months previous to that revelation, learned the importance of always trusting in the Lord’s guidance through a very difficult experience.

Many of you will recall that Martin Harris was the first man to serve as Joseph’s scribe in translating the golden plates. After many pages were completed, Martin asked that he be allowed to show the translated pages to his wife, that she may be persuaded and convinced as to the work they were about.

Joseph inquired of the Lord and the answer came back “no.”

Martin wouldn’t let it go, and pleaded that Joseph ask again. He did so and the answer came back again, “no.”
And still Martin pressed and Joseph yielded, asking the Lord a third time that Martin may be allowed to show the pages to his wife.

This time the Lord consented, requiring that Martin only show the pages to his wife and to guard them closely.
Martin Harris did not keep his promise to Joseph and the Lord, resulting in the loss of the 116 pages of the Book of Lehi.

Perhaps neither Joseph or Martin could forsee any harm in the request for Martin to take the pages, but the Lord did.

When the Lord finally did give Joseph the plates again, he counselled Joseph saying,
“Marvel not that I said until you: Here is wisdom, show it not unto the world—for I said, show it not unto the word, that you may be preserved.

“Behold, I do not say that you shall not show it unto the righteous;

“But as you cannot always judge the righteous, or as you cannot always tell the wicked from the righteous, therefore I say unto you, hold your peace until I shall see fit to make all things known unto the world concerning the matter,” (D&C 10:35-37).

Take a moment and consider what decisions you might want to make where the Lord might have a different answer or solution than you’d like to hear. What wisdom can we gain from Joseph’s experience?

• It’s highly unlikely that we will not be able to weigh the hidden costs of our actions. Because the Lord has perfect foresight, we should recognize His promptings and direction as loving warnings to shield us from the adversaries intent to destroy us.
• To ‘marvel not’ and ‘to hold our peace’ might suggest that we should avoid complaining or murmuring against the direction of the Lord because we don’t see what the Lord sees.

Nephi teaches us that we are saved by grace after all we can do. I’d like to apply that passage here too. After all we do, we need the Savior’s assistance in making good decisions. We should do what we can but realize that it is not enough. We need His grace, His wisdom and His perfection to help us make it home.

“For my thought sare not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

“For as the heavens are highter than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts,” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

In economics there are a few ‘laws’ that govern the basic philosophies and under-girding of economics.

The Law of Demand, the Law of Supply and the Law of Diminishing Returns–to name a few. Each of these are fundamental to understanding how and why economics is a viable field of study and research. Understanding these laws helps firms and individuals maximize their potential.

Without it them it’d be very hard to put any semblance of meaning to business practice. Determining prices and forecasting sales would be akin to the proverbial shot in the dark. How many people to hire, what will happen to my sales if I raise my price, and many other important questions would be questions left unanswered.

These laws have been derived through experience and experiment. They weren’t created by man but observed. Men and women before us like, perhaps most notably inasmuch as capitalism is concerned, Adam Smith, figured out a pattern that has proved to explain this or that phenomenon in the market. Tried and true these patterns became known as laws because of their universal application to understanding the market.

Spiritual Law: Not So Different

Likewise, “there is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated,” (D&C 130:19). There are laws out there, beyond the control of you or I that govern the universe and how it functions. How do we know this? Our Father in Heaven taught them to us so we could gain eternal life and happiness. The prophet Joseph Smith taught:

“God found himself in the midst of spirits and glory, and because he was greater, he saw proper to institute laws whereby the rest could have the privilege of advancing like himself–that they might have one glory upon another and all the knowledge, power, and glory necessary to save the world of spirits.”

It is through coming to understand those laws that men and women on this earth find meaning on this earth. Just like understanding the laws of supply and demand help firms and individuals maximize their profits, we can be profited greatly by understanding applying gospel law to our lives:

“And again, verily I say unto you, that which is governed by law is also preserved by law and perfect and sanctified by them same,” (D&C 88:34).