The Word of Wisdom: Love for Those who don't follow It

The Word of Wisdom is one of the defining features of the Church. I find it funny how many people nearly hate us because of it. They assume that because it's a standard required for baptism into the Church, we think that every who uses Alcohol, Tobacco, Coffee, or Tea is one of the vilest of sinners...

"Sure, I'll have a drink... grape juice please!"

That's not true. We don't determine the worth of souls based on what they drink or smoke. I have many family members who smoke and drink and my love for them is unaffected by my personal beliefs.

We invite people who join the Church to live the Word of Wisdom because it enhances how they feel the Holy Ghost and can free them from physically and spiritually dangerous side effects. The appropriate approach should be to invite anyone who feels uncomfortable using these substances to try living life without them. The promise we offer is not just that people can live without these things, but that they can experience a stronger connection with God in the process.

Every once in awhile, someone gets excited about the Word of Wisdom and blunders over the boundaries of friendly conversation. Please, don't mind the mess, all of us are a divine work a progress and have a LOT of work to go (including me). Hopefully, as the Church continues to grow and flourish around the world, more and more people will be able to better understand the Word of Wisdom. This is my fervent prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Scripture Study: Consistency over Quantity

Jesus Christ once taught that He was the bread of life and that whosoever ate Him (or consumed His teachings) would have eternal life. As I studied this biblical analogy, I realized that it demonstrates an interesting aspect of Scripture Study. In God's eyes, consistency is far more important than quantity.

A single loaf of bread can feed and satisfy us for a short period of time, but it cannot sustain us for the rest of our lives. In a similar fashion, a quick peek in the scriptures cannot sustain us through all of the challenges of life. In order for us to survive this hectic world, we need the daily nourishment that comes from feasting on the scriptures everyday.

Something I've learned is that God never enforced a quota as to how long or how much of the scriptures we read at the time. People who try to revive a starving soul by binge reading will choke on the attempt. Instead of rushing to read as much and learn as much as we can, God wants us to read everyday and gradually increase our knowledge through study and prayer. We should remember that the God who calls for patience in all of His children is patient Himself.

Just like how addictive habits can damage and destroy our lives, positive habits such as prayer and scripture study can give us strength during times of hardship, temptation, and weakness. I know that the study habits I've made in my life have supported me and allowed me to bring peace to my family. I pray that all men will find joy in the simple verses of the Holy Scriptures.

Modern Commandments: The Scriptures

"Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled." Doctrine and Covenants 1:37

"He is not here: for he is risen..."

In this world, there are many things which we can see and discover for ourselves. For those things that aren't so easily accessible, we can find the answers to our questions in books. Through records compiled by scientists and historians, we can learn more about the world and times that we love and live in. However, not all books are equal. Some of them can be filled with misconceptions or total falsehoods.

When it comes to things of God and eternity, we only have one real source for truth; the scriptures. Through the scriptures, we can learn about God and his servants, the Prophets. We can learn how to overcome challenges, escape temptation, and discover eternal happiness with God and his son, Jesus Christ.

Why are the Scriptures important?

Everything that we can learn about God's plan for us is contained in the Scriptures. The Scriptures are ancient records written by prophets, or men called by God to represent Him. The Book of Mormon explains that prophets "...talk of Christ... rejoice in Christ... preach of Christ... prophesy of Christ, and... write according to [their] prophecies." The primary purpose of the scriptures is to testify that Jesus Christ is the savior of the world. The Holy Bible contains the record of Jesus Christ's ministry and atonement, The Book of Mormon stands alongside the Holy Bible to reveal God's Plan of Salvation, and The Doctrine and Covenants helps us understand what God expects from us today.

In addition to bearing testimony of Jesus Christ, the scriptures also reveal the commandments to us, which are the key to finding peace and avoiding heartache. The scriptures help us "consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God," by showing us the examples of men and women who held onto them with steadfast faith. They help us take the commandments and learn, live, and love them.

The scriptures are also an immense source of spiritual strength. Regular scripture study solves problems, uplifts our thoughts, and gives us a connection to heaven than can only be severed by our own negligence.

How should I begin reading the Scriptures?

The Scriptures are not written like other books; this was something I realized fairly quickly when I was young. The grammar is unusual, the descriptions are sometimes abstract, and the names still continue to baffle me. I've learned however, that the best way to learn how to read them effectively is to simply begin reading them! To me, the best place to begin studying the Scriptures is with The Book of Mormon. It is the most consistently translated out of all of the Scriptures, it focuses on the basic principles of the gospel like Faith and Baptism, and it bears testimony of the truths in The Holy Bible. A testimony of The Book of Mormon gives us knowledge of all other scriptures.

"Answers to the questions of the soul."

Ideas for Application.

Study and practice the pronouns used in the Scriptures.
The scriptures are difficult to understand because they were also written long ago in different languages. A lot of the grammar that sounds strange in English, makes perfect sense in Hebrew, Arabic, or Greek. Using this unusual grammar is also a way to show God greater respect, because it is so detached from the casualty and slang of today.

Here are a few of the basic phrases in the Scriptures:

Thee, Thou, & Ye = You
Thy & Thine = Your
Art = Are
And it came to pass = And then...

Search, ponder, and pray.
The most effective way to study the scriptures involves a simple, three step pattern. We search the scriptures for answers to questions or challenges, we quietly ponder what the passages we find mean to us, and then we pray for extra wisdom from God. It really is simple, but effective.

Commandments in the Media: Volume 7

"This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there." Aslan

"These carvings are almost as mystical as the real thing."

This may be my most obvious choice for Commandments in the Media yet. "The Chronicles of Narnia" has been one of my favorite book series for a long time and it naturally came to my mind after the gloomy darkness of Frankenstein.

One of the biggest reasons this was such an obvious choice is that The Chronicles of Narnia is all about Jesus Christ. All of us are aware (I would hope) that Aslan, the lion guardian of Narnia, is an analog for Jesus Christ. He says things that Jesus Christ would say; he does things that Jesus Christ would do; he even emphasizes that we need to get to know him more in our own world than in Narnia. The Chronicles of Narnia is a fantasy book, but it is also a powerful sermon on Christ.

This post marks a change in the format of Commandments in the Media. In the past, I've written simple paragraphs about the various commandments within the story. However, I've recently realized that this is a difficult format to write or follow. In order to make this series more enjoyable, I will write a basic summary that will go over the main plot elements. Whenever the commandments are involved, I'll give those plot elements extra emphasis and then write a new section about how to connect the commandments in the media to the commandments in real life.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

The story begins in London, where four children, Peter, Susan, Lucy, and Edmund, take shelter from the air-raids of World War 2. They are sent to live with their uncle, who is an eccentric scientist. The four decide that they should enjoy their uncle's mansion while they can, so they play hide and seek. Peter, Susan, and Edmund hide in fairly mundane places, but Lucy ends up climbing into a wardrobe which turns out to be a direct portal to the winter wonderland of Narnia. As far as I'm aware, hiding in another world is cheating. When she emerges from her hiding spot, she tries to share her discovery, but nobody believes her. Later that day, Lucy returns to the wardrobe, but this time Edmund follows her and winds up lost in Narnia. While Lucy is enjoying the company of Tumnus, the obnoxious faun, Edmund meets The White Witch, the self proclaimed queen of Narnia. The White Witch is so evil, that she paused the seasons so that winter would last forever, and no Christmas!

This incident demonstrates the importance of choosing good friends. Edmund buddies up with The White Witch and she asks him to bring his siblings to her frozen castle (of death). He agrees, but only after eating far more Turkish Delight than is acceptable. When The White Witch leaves, Lucy runs into Edmund and tells him about a horrible, no good, very bad witch meandering about in Narnia. Edmund realized he had made two mistakes, he had mocked his sister for believing in Narnia and he had made friends with an evil witch. He had a choice to make, acknowledge that he was wrong both times, or blow it off.

Edmund decides to blow it off. He lies about discovering Narnia in the first place. Because of his selfishness, Peter and Susan begin to think of their little sister as dishonest and foolish. Meanwhile, this dishonesty gave Edmund time to rationalize about the witch. "She can't be that bad." He may have thought. "She gave me food after all. And what do fauns know anyway?" Edmund's false witness is accepted by his older siblings until they all find their way into Narnia, where Edmund looks like a complete jerk.

The four children decide that a mystical world is much more exciting to explore than an old mansion, so they journey into the depths of the forest. They run into a pair of beavers, who invite them out for tea and crumpets (it's not like C.S. Lewis knew about the Word of Wisdom). After their meal, the beavers discuss the 'prophesy of the day' which explains that the witch's power will fail when two men and women sit on the thrones of the castle Cair Paravel. Human beings are in short supply in Narnia, so the children will have to do. All of their talk about prophesy, responsibility, and Aslan gets on Edmund's nerves, so he wanders off to tell the witch where his siblings are. The Witch promptly throws Edmund into her ice dungeon for coming alone. He realizes, too late, that the Witch is better at lying than he is.

While Edmund's rotting in jail (or freezing), Peter, Susan, and Lucy travel to the Stone Table, where they finally meet the mighty lion, Aslan. Aslan is busy gathering the armies of Narnia to defeat The White Witch, but he takes the time to explain that Edmund is necessary to fulfill the prophecy. He directs his army to rescue Edmund, but there's a catch. The White Witch insists that according to the deep magic of Narnia, she has the right to kill Edmund as a traitor. In order to save Edmund (who really hasn't deserved saving this entire book), Aslan agrees to give his own life in exchange. The White Witch accepts his offer and Aslan travels to the Stone Table alone, where he dies for Edmund's sins.

This leads to that awkward moment where the villain thinks she wins and the two girls are crying over Aslan's body. The White Witch's celebration is cut short however, because Aslan is resurrected! He explains that because he was offered up in the place of Edmund, the Stone Table broke and death had to release him!

Kind of like Jesus Christ. Hmmm...

After his resurrection, Aslan gathers his armies, slays The White Witch, and restores peace to Narnia. The four children are placed on their thrones and they begin to rule Narnia with wisdom beyond their years... Several decades later, the four rulers decide to go hunting in the woods and they accidentally stumble out of the wardrobe.

And thus, they find themselves back in the real world.

The Commandments in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe

Compared to the rest of the series, the first book in The Chronicles of Narnia is pretty simple. The heroes and villains are clear and nobody really steps outside of their role... Except for Edmund. Edmund's consistently poor decisions cause heartache and trial to his family and ultimately require Aslan to sacrifice his life to save him. Fortunately, Edmund really matures in later books. He contributes valiantly in Prince Caspian and he later redeems himself by putting up with someone as annoying as he was in The Voyage of the Dawn Threader. In this book, we learn from Edmund's mistakes; in later installments, he will contribute his fair share of heroic attributes to the posts.

Today, however, is all about how he messed everything up.

Find better friends than the White Witch.
Edmund's initial relationship with The White Witch is shallow at the best; she feeds him some food and invites him over to her ice castle. Even after Lucy warns him about her treachery, he continues to trust her with his life, his siblings, and his loyalty. We can't take that same risk with our own friends. He have to find friends who will support us and not just encourage us, but encourage us to do good.

Avoid half baked Confessions.
Edmund hurts his sister's feelings pretty bad by lying. However, I would like to point out that the more dangerous lie Edmund tells is the half confession he makes early on. When confronted about Narnia, Edmund confesses that he had followed Lucy into Narnia, but he purposely withholds an essential detail; he had encountered The White Witch in the woods. If he had confessed this, he wouldn't have been imprisoned and all of the sorrows of Aslan's death would have been avoided. One of the essential steps to repentance is that our secret sins need to be confessed. Confessing our sins can seem humiliating at first, but the very act of confession frees us from guilt. In those cases where we need to confess our wrongs to God or someone we've harmed, a half confession is not enough. If we try to hide aspects of our sins, we will hold on to the burden.

As we consider these commandments in our own lives, may we remember the words of the Apostle Paul in 1st Corinthians, chapter 13: "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things." May we also put away the mistakes and follies of youth and become men through Jesus Christ. I say these things in His sacred name, Amen.

Christ's Commandments: The Greatest Commandment; Love

"This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you." John 15:12

"Greater love hath no man than this..."

The courts of temple were fuller than usual. People normally gathered whenever Jesus Christ was reaching, but this gathering was different. The Jews gathered together, not only to see the rumored messiah, but also to hear the furious accusations of the Pharisees, who were determined to destroy Him.

Their plan was simple, if they asked Jesus Christ some of their most controversial questions, they could get Him to offend part of the crowd and turn the people against Him. Their plan would have succeeded against any other man, but Christ was wiser than all of them. "Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?" He asked.

Perhaps we should be thankful for their questions. Their every accusation opened the savior's store of wisdom yet again. Finally frustrated, one Pharisee asked, "Master, Which is the great commandment in the law?" Rather than study the commandments to grow closer to God, they studied to discover loopholes in them. The idea of the commandments having a hierarchy of importance where some could be ignored, appealed to the Pharisees.

Christ's answer still rings across the ages. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." In this thirty second sermon, Jesus Christ established the perfect summary of what God expects of us. The commandments weren't just rules anymore, they were a means to an end. That end is love.

Love is the End and the Beginning of the Commandments

Jesus Christ taught that love was the principle which upheld all of the commandments. Whoever loved God the most would obey His commandments the most. An increase in obedience to the commandments gives us greater love for God, which in turn gives us more of a desire to obey. Thus, if we increase our obedience to the commandments, we will create a self-fueling desire to improve our lives, escape destructive habits, and maintain happiness no matter what our circumstances may be.

Beyond increasing our love for God, God will fill our lives with blessings if we are obedient. The Book of Mormon teaches this principle best: "I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants. And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you." We can see from the scriptures that God rewards us far beyond what we 'earn' through obedience.

To love God with all of our effort and to love men like ourselves is difficult, but essential if we want to experience the blessings God has in store for us. The importance of charity (the pure love of Christ) is expressed by Paul in the Holy Bible. "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing."

"Our love grows as the commandments color who we are

In short, the commandments are all about love. Our love for God and our neighbor will naturally lead us to apply the commandments to our lives. As long as we're seeking to increase in love and understanding, we will draw closer and closer to achieving all of God's commandments.

I have experienced this love in my life already. I know that God has been good to me and he has blessed me for the commandments I have already mastered. I know that He is supporting me day by day and He will continue to support me, even until the day I pass from this life and see his face, and know that He is my God and my Heavenly Father.

Commandments in the Media: Volume 6

Live, and be happy, and make others so. Justine Moritz

"The night precedes itself."

Frankenstein

I think that out of all of the different forms of media, I enjoy nothing more than reading books. When I first came out on my mission, the thing I missed most was having a book in my hand at all times. It didn't help that I had just begun reading classical literature.

When I started with the classics, Halloween was soon, so I decided to experience horror classics like Dracula and Frankenstein for myself. I was pleasantly surprised when I read these books! They were creepy, but I had never imagined that they would be so positive too. They were both full of noble heroes working to defend their loved ones from the forces of fear and darkness.

The Commandments in Frankenstein

The story of Frankenstein is about a young scientist who meddles with forces beyond his imagining and succeeds in creating a monster. However, despite this tragedy, the greater horror in my opinion is the total destruction of two families; Frankenstein's and the monster's.

Families can be the greatest source of happiness in our lives, but Victor Frankenstein neglects his in the creation of the monster (sometimes named Adam). He had never considered that what he was doing could impact his family, but it did. And it destroyed them. We will never create a living monster in the way that Frankenstein did, but we may create a spiritual or emotional monster. Let us be wary of delving into dark places and experimenting with things we shouldn't; drugs and pornography just to name a few.

While Frankenstein physically created Adam, it was ultimately Adam who made himself into a monster. From the moment he is created, he wants companionship, either with his maker or with a wife. Early in his story, Adam is a very noble character. He wants to do good and be good. He is hideous physically, but he only becomes truly vile once he commits the vile sin of murder. When he kills a family who were disgusted at his appearance, he loses his good nature. His feelings warp and twist until he begins to hate his creator. Adam kills his entire family and in return, Frankenstein destroys his wife. In the end, everything that was good about Adam was destroyed by the black hole of murder and death until all that was left was the mindless instrument of death we are familiar with. There is no condition so vile, so awful, that violence won't make it worse.

As we enjoy the costumes and treats of this Halloween, never overlook that the family is the greatest source of our happiness in life. Have fun, enjoy the company of your family, and avoid the dark diversions that bring real evil into the holiday.

Commandments in the Media: Volume 5

"Believe in your strengths...Believe..." Happy Mask Salesman

"Be thankful our moon isn't trying to kill us."

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

Sometimes I think that out of all of the media in the world, video-games often get the short end of the stick. They are often pointed out as an inferior art form, a dangerous time-waster, and medium for experimenting with illegal or violent actions. In many cases, these are valid concerns. However, to be completely fair, these concerns can really be extended to all forms of media.

As I thought about what would make a good addition to Commandments in the Media, my thoughts were drawn to one of my favorite games of all time. I am thinking of the abstract video-game classic, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

The Commandments in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

Something that makes finding the commandments in video-games different from finding them in movies or books is that video-games can have different rules for how the fictional world works. This can be obviously bad. However, whenever the mechanics of the game revolve around the commandments themselves, this can create a very positive, uplifting experience. That is why Majora's Mask is the first video-game to get a post. The central goal of the game is to save and improve people's lives! Majora's Mask takes place in the very dark world of Termina. The main villain is the Skull Kid, a childish imp who is determined to crush Termina with the moon as a cruel joke. Even if Termina wasn't already doomed to destruction, its inhabitants are lost and miserable people. That's where you come in. Through acts of service like tending to the wounded,  finding lost children, protecting the innocent, and even visiting the lonely, you slowly make Termina a better place. Your final goal may be the most noble of all, to give the people of Termina a future.

One of the first areas you explore is the Deku Swamp. In the swamp, you discover both a forest of intelligent apes and the secluded kingdom of the deku, a race of plant people. You quickly discover that one of the apes has been imprisoned for poisoning the swamp. It becomes obvious early on that that this accusation was founded on racial tension rather than actual evidence. Instead of resolving the problem, this false accusation drives a wedge in between the only two parties who could actually solve the problem. This situation would be laughable if it wasn't completely true to life. Sometimes, instead of acknowledging our problems, we point fingers and look for someone else to solve the problem. This behaviors wastes valuable time, of which we have so little in this life, and often makes it more difficult for us to be able to overcome difficulties.

One of the most desperate areas in the game is the eastward oriented land of Ikana. During your early exploration, Ikana seems like nothing more than a desert wasteland. However, as your exploration deepens, you discover the ancient ruins of a destroyed civilization and the sin that lead to their destruction, Idolatry. The people of Ikana turned away from their (fictional) God, preferring their own ways and ideas. They built the Stone Tower (of Babel) and indulged in blasphemy and evil ritual. The result was the destruction of Ikana and the creation of the evil threatening Termina. Remember this land! Like them and like the Israelites, if we turn our backs on the true and living God, we turn our backs on our only hope for salvation.

The Ten Commandments: No Other Gods (Revised)

"Thou shalt have no other gods before me."  Exodus 20:3

"Exodus, the original Mission Impossible."

The exodus was already in progress. The Israelite nation had been freed from the slavery of Egypt, their cruel masters had been drowned in the depths of the red sea, and now they were being lead to Canaan, the land of their inheritance.

Their leader was a man named Moses. In the past, he had been a mere shepherd, but God had bigger plans in store for him. He saw the presence of God within the burning bush, he talked to God face to face, like one man speaks to another, and he unleashed God's wonders on the land of Egypt. His mission was simple, he was supposed to bring the children of Israel home.

Then one day, Moses received an incredible message from God Himself. "I come unto thee in a thick cloud," He said. "...that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee forever." This news must have excited Moses. Finally, they would know for certain that he had seen God. "I will visit them in three days." God continued. "Go unto the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes. And be ready against the third day: for the third day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai."

And He sure did. On the third day, God descended on the mountain and it caught fire. Moses brought his people to the base of Mount Sinai, where they saw God's eternal glory. They knew now, without a doubt, that God was their leader. "I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." He said. "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."

And so it began. God wanted to transform a congregation of slaves into a nation worthy of representing His name. That change could only come from new-found wisdom, and so, God revealed The Ten Commandments. These Commandments were designed to uplift and strengthen mankind, to lead their civilizations, and guide them home to God's presence.

Who is God exactly?

God, very simply, is the Father of all Mankind. He created man in His own image and He views us with a paternal regard. He is unchanging and trustworthy, and His objective on this earth is "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."

One belief that is fairly common is the belief in the Trinity, which is that God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are the same being, just with separate roles and forms. I find this doctrine hard to relate to. If God and Jesus Christ are the same being, why is Christ always praying to Himself? How can The Holy Ghost descend upon Himself while the voice of God the Father declares that He is His Own Begotten Son? Either God is a incomprehensible being with no sort of relation to mankind or we should trust the words of God Himself when he declares that Jesus Christ is His Son.

The commandment to have no other Gods before Him, means to place our loyalties in God. When He appeared to Moses and the Israelites on Mount Sinai, they knew without a doubt that their God was The True and Living God. From that point on, God made a promise with His people. If they would obey His Commandments and worship Him, He would make them a holy nation and give them eternal life. In essence He said, "Follow Me, and I will make you my children." Later on, when Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to the earth, He repeated that same Commandment, "Follow Me." The Holy Ghost also gives us that same commandment, "Follow Me." Having no other Gods before Him, means to follow His example and dedicate ourselves to Him.

How Should We View Other World Religions?

I believe that the worship of God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost is the center source of truth in this world. Through Jesus Christ and His teachings we can enjoy all of the attributes of godliness, happiness, and peace. In addition to Jesus Christ and His servants, there are many other religious figures on this earth who taught their people principles of love and godliness. They wanted to bring brighter color to their cultures. I believe that these men were taught true principles directly from God himself. I believe that any serious differences between faiths were started by men long after these leaders had lived and died. 

Once we have gained a testimony of Jesus Christ, we are expected to devote ourselves to him. I believe that in the last days, many people of all nations, cultures, and faiths will be brought to Jesus Christ by the principles of righteousness that they already follow. This is what I feel that God expects us to do concerning other beliefs. He wants us to befriend them, honor and defend their true principles, and invite them to learn of Jesus Christ. Perhaps the biggest blessing from following this commandment is that we won't have to compromise either our faith or our learning. We will be able to learn of other faiths and consider their truths from a perspective founded on Jesus Christ and his Atonement. We will understand how these religions fit into God's plan for His Children and we will be able to coexist with them.

"Looking for God? Maybe he's in His house!"

Ideas To Live This Commandment

Pray for a Testimony of Jesus Christ
Once we know that Jesus Christ is the savior, we receive direct access to the source of all truth. We can receive that testimony through prayer. I personally feel that The Book of Mormon explains the process best, "I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." (Moroni 10:4-5)

Commandments in the Media: Volume 4

"Take my hand, I'll lead you to Salvation!" Fantine

"This bench is fairly miserable."

Les Misérables

As I've served my mission, I didn't expect was become familiar with several musicals, one of them being Les Misérables. One of my missionary friends is an Elder from France named Elder Fourtina. He was a huge fan of Les Mis, so he had the original broadway soundtrack with him. I've also heard about it from several other missionaries who have served around me. In short, I don't have any direct experience with Les Misérables, however, I've heard enough bits and pieces that I know the basic story.

And what a story it is. I've never experienced a story so emotionally stretching. It presents all of the sorrows and joys of life on a single slice of history, the French Revolution. What impresses me the most about Les Misérables is that while it depicts the dark reality of sin, it also depicts the shining light of redemption. The challenge here isn't to find the commandments in Les Misérables, but to decide which ones to include in this post.

The Commandments in Les Misérables

The main themes of the story are repentance and forgiveness. From the very beginning, when the main character, Jean Valjean is freed from his nineteen years of imprisonment, he is convinced that nothing can redeem him from his past. In order to escape his hopeless situation, he attempts to rob the bishop who had taken him in. When the bishop not only forgave Valjean for his robbery, but gave him two silver candlesticks to become an honest man, the darkened world of Jean Valjean begins to brighten. Could his soul have really been bought for God? In response to this single act of forgiveness, Valjean turns his entire life around. His new-found faith drives him to save several lost souls, including Cosette and Marius.

On the flipside of the story, Javert, a cunning policeman, does everything in his power to capture Valjean, whom he considers unredeemable. However, when Valjean shows mercy to him, proving that he has truly changed, Javert is forced to make a decision. He has to choose between forgiving Valjean and giving up his own life. Tragically, he chooses the latter and dies a miserable suicide. The good that he may have done in the world is lost, because he simply could not forgive. The burden of sin is miserable, but it may not be as heavy as the grudges we can bear when we don't forgive.

One of the most tragic characters in Les Misérables is Fantine, Valjean's sister. Her tragedy begins from having an illegitimate daughter with her lover. Her lover quickly abandons her, leaving her alone with her daughter, shattered dreams, and a burning sense of guilt. In her desperate circumstances, she makes a fatal mistake of going into prostitution to provide for her daughter. The scriptures teach that sexual sin is spiritually and emotionally destructive (even in desperate circumstances and she suffers and eventually dies from it.

Finally, how could any of us forget Valjean's heart-tugging prayer in "Bring Him Home." I am always astonished at how inspired this song is. From this prayer, Jean Valjean demonstrates absolute faith that God knows him and will answer his prayers. In the climax of the song, Valjean cries out, "If I die, let me die! Let him live! Bring him home!" In essence, it reminds me of the Savior's prayer in Gethsemane, where he valued his father's will over his own. "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." In the end, Valjean's prayer is granted. Marius is protected.

Overall, I like to believe that Les Misérables is such an impressive story because it shows so many angles of life. We can observe how the commandments protect us from sorrow and also how disobeying them leads to suffering.

The Apostles and Les Misérables?

During the process of making this post, I made a surprising discovery. During this past General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, one of counselors to the presiding bishop cited Les Misérables in his talk. Interested, I wanted to see if there were any other years where Les Mis was referenced by our apostles. I was very surprised.

Here are some talks by modern day prophets and apostles that show how they see the commandments in Les Misérables.

Ye Are No More Strangers- 2013
Redemption- 2013
Bring Him Home- 2003

The Color of Ourselves?

"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God." 1 John 4:7

"I want to be the best blue pencil I can be!"

I learned something really interesting today about myself and other people. I'm currently living with three other missionaries and we spend a lot of our lunch and evening time socializing in our apartment. This morning, one of the other Elders pulled out an interesting book. I imagine that it's well known. It was called "The Color Code."

The Color Code is part personality quiz, part social essay. The basic premise was that our personalities can be gauged by one of four types; red, blue, white, or yellow. It isn't surprising that my unique personality was clearly labeled as blue, which was the emotional, intimate type. I listened as that Elder read what felt like my life story, but was actually the book's description of a blue personality. I was fairly impressed. As I listened to more of what the book had to say, I had an interesting insight, which I would like to share.

As we talk about the commandments and their colors, I think we sometimes forget to think about the color within people. We are all children of God, but that does not make us the same. All of us have different appearances, strengths, struggles, and personalities. We can sometimes struggle when we are surrounded by people who think or act differently than we do. We can sometimes mistake differences for sin, when the person they are trying to become doesn't match up with ours. God does not ask us to become Jesus Christ. He asks us to become more like Him, because He knows that following Christ's example will improve anyone.

As I've thought more about The Color Code, I remember that none of us is rooted in a certain personality. Through Jesus Christ, all of us can bring out the best in ourselves and gain greater hope. I love my savior and I want Him to know how much I love Him and wish I was more like Him. Even so, I know that He loves me and is helping me along every step of the way.

Elder Cockrum

Commandments in the Media: Volume 3

"May the Force be with you, Always." Han Solo

The resemblance is amazing...

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away... 

Star Wars: Episodes 4-6

To this day, I still don't know how George Lucas did it. He created a film which single-handedly changed the way we look at movies forever. Everything about Star Wars was and still is incredible. Whether it was the Jedi, the Death Star, or even the famous plot twist which shocked even the actors, everything about Star Wars seems inspired.

Funny thing though, where does this inspiration come from? The Book of Mormon teaches that "...all things which are good cometh of God." I would presume in that case, that parts of Star Wars itself may have been direct inspiration from God! "But wait!" You may say. "Star Wars has nothing to do with Jesus Christ! There are no light-sabers or force wielding Jedi in The Bible!" Well that's true, all of the light-sabers are in The Book of Mormon.

No, I'm just kidding. But you know what you can find in The Book of Mormon? God's Commandments. And those Commandments are absolutely interwoven into Star Wars.

The Commandments in Star Wars

As we all know, Luke Skywalker is the immature, arrogant hero of the movie. He spends the first few minutes of the movie complaining about power converters (or his lack thereof) and having to do his sand chores, on his sand planet, with his sand speeder... He has to grow up really fast when he finds his uncle and aunt's bodies roasted on his front lawn (dune?). From that moment on, he has to pick up the slack by accepting the awesome responsibility of the Priesthood. Oh wait, I mean the Force... or do I? 

If you watch carefully, nearly every time the Force is being used, its effects are straight out of the Scriptures.  The Force is power and authority recognized by the entire universe, but it's useless without discipline and focus (like the Priesthood). It allows the Jedi to move and organize matter (like God does with the Priesthood). Even people without the Force itself can feel inspiration from it (The Gift of The Holy Ghost), but they need to exercise faith in those promptings (The Holy Ghost). My friends back at home have joked about this numerous times, but despite the jokes, the resemblance really is incredible.

Star Wars is a story about redemption and repentance. Every single main character changes as the story progresses. Luke starts out as a rebellious teen who wants to kill Vader, and becomes a (more) disciplined Jedi Knight capable of not just defeating Darth Vader, but sparing him. Princess Leia makes a similar change, becoming more responsible as time goes on. Han Solo starts out as a cold blooded mercenary (who shoots first), and ends the series as a (more) honest man who is willing to sacrifice everything for the good of the universe. In the end, even Vader redeems himself by fixing the mistake he made 3 movies later (in the prequels which aren't as inspired). The only main character that doesn't really change is C3P0. Likewise, all of us have incredible potential in our galaxy. With the help of Jesus Christ, all of us can receive inspiration to make that incredible change in hearts. No one is outside of the changing power of Christ.

Commandments in the Media: Volume 2

"...Because I knew you, I have been changed for Good." Glenda

This isn't from Wicked.  It only looks like the lollipop guild.

Wicked

I have never really had the opportunity to attend very many musicals. They're usually pretty pricey, and it's just so much easier to stay home and rent a movie. However, I took theater appreciation in collage, so I got to discover the wonderful world of musicals for the first time. One of the requirements to pass the class was to see two theater productions, so my mother and I made the cautious journey to the nearby theater to experience two plays. One of those was Wicked.

I've never had so much fun in my life. I came out of that theater beaming so hard, I couldn't stop. I felt like I wanted to take all of the money I had and shove it into the Wicked charity fund (I didn't, but I did give them five dollars). It entertained me, but it also uplifted me. I wanted to follow Elphaba's example and rise above my circumstances no matter what people thought of me. As I thought about what work best for Volume 2 of Commandments in the Media, Wicked stood out to me as an excellent candidate.

The Commandments in Wicked

A lot of times we're aware of how breaking the commandments causes problems in our lives, but we don't really think about how our actions can affect others. That seems to be the background theme of Wicked. Elphaba, the future wicked witch of the west, is a good natured woman who only wants to use her unique talents to help others. However, her life is thrown into chaos because of the selfish acts of one little man, The "Wonderful" Wizard of Oz.

In the very beginning of the play, The Wizard of Oz and Elphaba's mother have a secret affair. This moment affects Elphaba for the rest of her life. What should have been a loving family relationship is tainted by embarrassment, because of the affair and because Elphaba was born into the world green. When Elphaba and The Wizard finally do meet, The Wizard wastes no time trying to take advantage of her. When Elphaba refuses him, he throws her under the bus, ensuring that she would be labeled as 'Wicked' for the rest of her life. The Wizard's false witness clings to her until the day she "melts."

I don't want to make Wicked sound like a depressing musical, because it really isn't. I just want to point out that beyond the inspiring music and Elphaba's cheery attitude, Wicked depicts the harsh reality that we can't break commandments without affecting people around us.

On the postive side, Wicked also demonstrates the power a little service and hope have. Despite her circumstances, Elphaba remains stalwart and good until the very end. Her example changes Glenda's heart, which makes her the hero we see in the Wizard of Oz. Her efforts to help the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man, and Scarecrow backfire intially, but as we can later see, the weaknesses they received eventually became strengths. The only person Elphaba doesn't use her talents for is herself. I think the message here is powerful; no matter who you are, your service will change lives. After all, isn't that what Christ did?

Modern Commandments: The Word of Wisdom

"I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation..." Doctrine and Covenants 89:4

"Be glad that we don't need to say no to bacon"

In the process of restoring the Church of Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith established what he called The School of the Prophets. It was a special doctrinal class for the men whom he had called to be modern Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. Joseph was a Prophet, a chosen servant of the Lord, but he needed the Apostles to be prepared for their duties.

When Joseph stepped into the class, he was usually greeted by a cloud of smoke. Some of the Apostles smoked, some of them chewed, but nearly all of them used tobacco of some form. Joseph would watch as they lit their pipes, grabbed another wad, and then began discussing the doctrines of Jesus Christ. Something about that struck Joseph as strange...

At some point during those days, Joseph heard from his wife, Emma. They had been holding The School of The Prophets in the upper floor of their store and it had fallen to Emma's responsibility to clean the room. "Joseph, our floor is stained with tobacco, and I can hardly breathe in this smoke. What do you think the Lord thinks of this?" This question must have surprised Joseph. Smoking was common practice in those days, so he may never have considered what the Lord thought of it before. "Perhaps I should ask." He decided.

Thus was the Word of Wisdom revealed to the World. God had revealed health related commandments before, but never had He revealed one specially adapted to the modern days. "In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation..."

What is The Word of Wisdom?

The Word of Wisdom is God's standard for what our bodies should consume. A central part of our purpose in being born was to gain a body. Our bodies and spirits are interconnected, strength in one can lead to strength in the other and vice versa, and so it's important to understand how to best take care of our bodies.

God has revealed that alcohol and tobacco are not meant to be consumed. He has also revealed that coffee and tea are not good for our bodies. Prophets after Joseph Smith further explained that we need to avoid any substance that alters or harms our body and mind or creates dependency within us.

Beyond these warnings, God also revealed several positive health principles. Grains and fruits were divinely approved. Meat was also approved, but it was to be consumed sparingly.  God revealed alternate uses for alcohol and tobacco (one as a cleansing agent, the other for bruises). He then explained that all who obey the Word of Wisdom will receive improved health, treasures of knowledge, increased strength, and will be spared from the destroying angel.

Why Should I Follow The Word of Wisdom?

The reasons for following the Word of Wisdom are fairly visible. The substances mentioned in the Word of Wisdom are addictive and end up weakening our freedom to choose. They also damage our body and make it more difficult to feel God's love and influence. Despite these obvious blessings and cursings, people choose not to believe in it. I have been asked many times why God would care if they drunk, smoke, etc. I believe that this doubt comes because people become afraid of being held accountable for their habits. Satan tells people that they can't quit, that they aren't strong enough to quit, or that they're better off not trying. He tries to convince them that they should just get comfortable smoking or drinking because they're stuck.

Most concerns about The Word of Wisdom are founded on misunderstandings or lies from the adversary. Here are some of the false ideas that Satan tries to plant in our hearts and why they're completely wrong.

If I relapse, I've failed!
From my personal experience with dealing with habits, I know that God is patient with us, even after moments of weakness. Overcoming addiction is a lot like riding a bike, when we start out we're going to fall a few times, but that's not going to disqualify us. As long as we're trying our best, we will improve. As we improve, we will fall less often and our falls will be safer (less significant). As long as we're doing our best to stay on balance, God will support and be pleased with our efforts. The only time God is displeased with us when dealing with addiction is when we choose to simply give up trying.

I'm going to be addicted forever!
Not really. After quitting, the physical cravings eventually leave. All we have to do after that is avoid the temptation to "give addiction another try." As long as we avoid situations where we could be pressured into returning to our old habits, we will have no reason or desire to return.

I'm not strong enough to quit!
It doesn't matter how strong we are, because we have an ally in fighting addiction. No matter who we are or what we struggle with, Jesus Christ has atoned for us all! His strength does not come all at once, but as long as we do our best and pray for His help, He will give us the strength to escape. All we need is the desire to quit and faith in Jesus Christ and His redeeming power.

"Deligious!"

Ideas for Living This Commandment

Learn more about these substances
One of the most effective ways to increase our desire to quit is to learn more about the substances we use. How do they effect our bodies? What about the substance is addictive?

Consider attending the Addiction Recovery Program
The Church has an incredible addiction recovery program which combines the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous with the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Working in a private group can be very helpful if we've been frustrated trying to quit on our own. The program can be viewed at www.mormonchannel.org.

See my post on Idolatry for more ideas
Addiction and Idolatry are very similar challenges. Learning more about avoiding Idolatry can help us overcome Addiction and vice versa. We should always remember that God will help us if we let Him.

Quick Update: Volume 1

Update on Color of the Commandments!

I've been working for about a week on The Sabbath Day. I've written it, rewritten it, and I simply can't write it in a way that I'm satisfied with. It's always been a commandment I've struggled with. I keep it, but I don't really understand it. So, instead of letting my entire blog fall apart because of getting stuck on The Sabbath Day, I'm going to skip it for now.

I've done some thinking about how to better improve Color of the Commandments. Previously, I had felt that posting as often as possible was the best way to add content, but I've realized that method is inefficient and it makes it hard for any readers to want to regularly view the blog. So, I'm going to posting in a more regular schedule.

Posting Schedule (May be subject to change)
Color of the Commandments Posts will be published on Wednesdays
Commandments in the Media Posts will be published on Saturdays

I will continue to work on content and blog formatting during the week. Hopefully, this decision will make Color of the Commandments much easier for you all to read and enjoy. Thank you for your support!

Elder Michael Cockrum

Hello Friends of the World!

Hello Everyone! Elder Cox here making my debut as a guest blogger on Color of the Commandments! I'm super pumped to have the opportunity to share the things I know and love about the Doctrine of Christ. Over the next little while I will be posting all about the the most important Gospel Principles and how they have helped me and more importantly how they can help YOU!!! I haven't always lived the things I will teach, so don't get the impression I think I'm perfect at these, but I will share with you how living this way has brought me more happiness than I've ever had.

Stay tuned to find out how Jesus Christ can change your life too!

Commandments in the Media: Volume 1

"True love, really is the greatest thing in the world..." Miracle Max

Ooh, watch! He's going to fight left handed!

The Princess Bride

I wanted to start "Commandments in the Media" with a movie that nearly everybody loves and cherishes. I wanted it to be a classic that stands the test of time, one so classic that you could close your eyes and see the characters and scenes. The only movie I could think of that deserved that honor was The Princess Bride. Most of us know it as a childhood favorite that we could quote every single line from, but as I thought more about it, I realized that it would also make the perfect movie to start this feature with. 

The Princess Bride is a story of true heroes, true villains, and true wove, flooding with unfailing christian chivalry. You've probably seen it a thousand times before... but have you ever considered it from perspective of The Commandments?

The Commandments in The Princess Bride

Nearly all of the greatest moments in The Princess Bride can be tied into The Commandments. The entire movie is filled with good old-fashioned christian chivalry, which is not only inspiring but humorous in a positive sort of way.

A lot of my favorite moments in the movie come during the fight scenes. The sword fighting is kind of neat (old-fashioned and still neat), but I also find it interesting to see the respect that the heroes have for life. Even when the villains play dirty (like throwing a dagger or fighting left handed), the heroes never kill anyone unless they're attacked first. For example, during their duels, Wesley knocks Inigo and Fezzik unconscious rather than killing them. During the scenes in the castle, the only soldiers killed by the heroes are the three who attack Inigo. Then later, when Inigo faces Count Rugan, he waits to fight him until he makes the first attack. There is not a single character that the heroes kill who wasn't trying to kill them first, and to me, this respect for life creates respect for the heroes.

Another one of my favorite moments is Inigo's prayer. When Inigo and Fezzick face a closed door on their journey to find "the man in black," Inigo drops to his knees and prays for his father's spirit to guide his sword. With his eyes closed and in hilariously dramatic fashion, he ends up accidentally stabbing it into a tree knot, which reveals the hidden passageway to "the man in black." This moment really shows that prayer doesn't make a big show or give us all of the answers. Inigo was gently guided to the knot and he initially thought his prayer hadn't been answered, however when he leaned on it, he learned that his faith was correct. How important is it for us that we lean on the answers that we receive through Prayer and exercise that faith?

Another great moment, remember the battle of wits? Wesley tricked Vicini into drinking poison by drinking along with him. However, he had built up an immunity to iocane power. If Vicini had let go of his pride and refused to drink, he would have survived his encounter with the man in black. Just like that, we have modern poisons like alcohol and drugs, that can be just as deadly to us, even though we don't see other people experience the consequences. I'm thankful for the Word of Wisdom, which protects us from "falling into one of the classic blunders."

Finally, the entire movie is just full of Christlike love. Wesley and Buttercup have such a sweet relationship, because it is founded on service and loyalty, rather than on looks or cheap pleasure. Having an attitude of service creates "true wove" in our relationships. May we all follow this example and serve our families and friends. As we do, we will experience the joy and confidence of serving our neighbors and we will be able to follow the Savior's example, who loved us so much he gave us His life in service. "As you wish."

Commandments in the Media: Introduction

Look unto me in every thought... Doctrine and Coventants 6:36

"Look ma! I'm keeping the commandments!"

It's one thing to read the commandments in the scriptures, but following them may still be difficult. We can know about the commandments, but if they don't become part of our desires, application can be frustrating and difficult. We need a stepping stone from knowing about the commandments to remembering them, and that can only happen if we really think about them a lot.

The funny thing is... we actually do think about them a lot! We just don't realize it. Whenever we watch a movie, or view any form of media, what we view becomes part of us. That means that while negative, inappropriate media influences us to see the world in a darker tint, positive media can influence us to live the commandments!

This introduces the first new series into Color of the Commandments. In "Commandments in the Media," I uncover the gospel principles I've observed in my all-time favorite media. There will be no copyrighted pictures, but there will be commandment oriented descriptions of classic media. My purpose here is to demonstrate the eternal principle that Mormon teaches in The Book of Mormon. "Behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God." (Moroni 7:13)

I hope you all enjoy this exciting new series.

Elder Michael Cockrum

Christ's Commandments: Baptism

"Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." John 3:5

"Fulfill all righteousness."

Late one evening, Jesus Christ had a visitor. A man named Nicodemus had heard of Christ's miracles and teachings, and he wanted to meet Him. He recognized that Jesus had to be a man of God, for no evil man could do the good He was doing.

Nicodemus must have been excited for his personal interview with Jesus, but little did he know, he was the one going to be interviewed. In solemn simplicity, Christ declared that a man could not enter God's kingdom without being born of water and the spirit. Nicodemus was shocked, the common belief of the time was that Baptism was not needed for the Jews (God's first covenant people), but Jesus Christ declared that it was an essential requirement for all people! Even Christ Himself, being the only incorruptible man on the earth, chose to be baptized so that He could "fulfill all righteousness."

Several thousand years have past since Jesus Christ's life. Baptism is still a central part of Christianity, but some Christian groups no longer believe that it's necessary for salvation. Nevertheless, Christ's words to Nicodemus still stand.

Why is Baptism Essential for Eternal Life?

Baptism is the first ordinance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. An ordinance is simply a sacred ceremony where we make a promise with God. When we make a promise with God, He sets the terms and we're free to hold to our promise and receive the blessings, or neglect our promise and be held accountable. The greatest blessings God has in store for us can only be received when we make promises to Him and Baptism is the first of these promises we can make.

Baptism is essential for several reasons. When we're baptized by the priesthood authority of God, the sins of the past are washed away. This is not just a one time cleansing, but a continual cleansing that we renew every time we take The Sacrament worthily. Baptism is also one of God's Commandments for us. Christ was baptized because He knew it was God's will and He was willing to obey all of God's Commandments.

Although being baptized at all shows God our desire to follow Him, God has specific standards for those who want to fulfill His Commandments. To be baptized according to God's standards, He requires that we work to give up our knowingly sinful behaviors and follow Jesus Christ until the end of our lives. He also requires that the person baptizing us needs to have the Priesthood, which is authority and power from God to baptize. Without that authority, we can't be cleansed from sin or fulfill God's Commandment to be baptized.

What Happens to People Who Die Before Being Baptized?

Jesus Christ teaches that Baptism is necessary to enter the Kingdom of God, however, most of the people who have lived on the earth never had the chance to be baptized, let alone by the Priesthood. In order to give everyone the opportunity to be saved, God has established an ordinance called "Baptism for the Dead." Baptism for the Dead means that faithful members of The Church can be baptized in the Temple for their dead ancestors and for people of other faiths. Once the work has been done for them, the spirits of the dead have the decision whether to accept that Baptism or not.

Although God has prepared this wonderful safety net, we should not use this as a reason to be slothful. Baptism for the Dead is for those who never had a chance to be Baptized by the Priesthood. If we know without a doubt that Baptism is necessary for us, but neglect our responsibility and aren't baptized, we will not receive a second chance.

"It only takes five seconds."

Ideas For Living This Commandment

We should all repent and be baptized! If we've been baptized, we need to take The Sacrament and renew that promise with God! If we do this, we will be cleansed from our sins and be free from that burden. We will discover a better life with Christ and we will have greater motivation to follow Him.

If you are concerned in any way at all about your baptism or are interested in being baptized by the Priesthood, come to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I've received a witness of the Priesthood, and I know that you can receive this witness too.