Giving God Your Mite

I've often read about the "widow's mite" in the New Testament and thought that it was significant because she was poor and yet still acted obedient in keeping the law of the tithe. This in and of itself is a great example and a fine lesson, but today I understood it a little different.

You know the story:

42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

Being all in
The key phrase that stood out to me is "[she] did cast in all that she had." The widow was all in with her faith and showed it by being all in with everything with which the Lord had blessed her. Are we all in with our faith? Do our daily choices reflect that? Can we be identified as a disciple by our fruits?

Some may think, "well, it's easier to be all in when you're poor." I propose that being all in is the same test and level of difficulty regardless of wealth, popularity, or prominence. In every circumstance it requires faith in the Lord's promised blessings.

The woman giving her all financially must trust completely on the Lord for sustenance. The rich woman giving her all financially would still have to trust completely on the Lord for sustenance, but that's not really what this is about. It's not about selling all that we have and giving to the poor, though that could be required of some; this is about the desires of our hearts.

What is the desire of your heart?
Being all in is giving your heart to the Lord. It all starts with the desires of your heart. King Benjamin told his people to "watch themselves" before telling them to watch their thoughts, words, and deeds. This is because words and deeds come from thoughts and thoughts come from desires. We must be willing to consecrate ourselves - all of our desires - to the Lord and allow Him to make much more of our lives than we ever could on our own.

Only one thing we can truly give
When the Lord owns our desires, the rest (thoughts, words, deeds) will automatically fall into place. We also learned from King Benjamin that we are and always will be unprofitable servants. Anything that we possess and give to the Lord was already his in the first place, except our will or the desires of our heart. God would never take away our agency, so it is truly the only gift that's ours to give.

In the eyes of God, the poor man who consecrates himself (his heart and soul) and everything he has to the Lord to build up His kingdom will always give more than the billionaire who donates millions to the same cause but stops short of fully consecrating his will and desires. This is how the widow's two mites infinitely dwarfs the thousands of mites donated by others. Jesus points her out as our example to follow.

Conclusion
Give your mite to the God by giving your whole self to Him. Kneel down and commit yourself, all the desires of your heart, to the Lord, and then go and do His will. This truly is the only offering you can possibly place on the alter; anything else was first given to you from Him. Be willing to give up anything and everything for God by loving Him first, and then show it with how you live each and every day.

The Second Coming - Don't Be Deceived

First, what is Joseph Smith Matthew?
Joseph Smith re-translated Matthew chapter 24 of the New Testament, and that translation is what we know today as the book of Joseph Smith Matthew. It's a very important book of scripture that gives prophesies from the Savior himself about the Second Coming, so important that it has been included in the canonized book of scripture known as the Pearl of Great Price.

How does this apply to me?
Within this chapter, Jesus warns that wickedness will abound as it did in the days of Noah. He warns of great signs and wonders that would be performed by false prophets and false Christs insomuch that they would "deceive the very elect, who are the elect according to the covenant." Listen up if you do not want to be deceived (nobody wants to be deceived, right?).

Who are the elect?
So, who are the elect? The children of the covenant! His covenant people have always been the House of Israel, and those baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are adopted into the House of Israel. If you've received your Patriarchal Blessing, you have a bit more insight into how this applies to you personally.

What does Jesus tell his elect to protect them from deception?
Jesus tells his elect to not be troubled when they hear of wars and rumors of wars for they "must come to pass; but the end is not yet."

Most important of all, the Savior tells his elect the key to avoiding deception. First, his elect will know the prophesies about the Second Coming and be prepared when they they see their fulfillment. Second, He says, "whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived."

What does it mean to "treasure up" Christ's word?
Because treasure is something of great value, we treat it differently than other things. If someone gave you a treasure chest full of gold, silver, and precious stones, how would you take care of it? I'm sure you wouldn't leave it out in the open. You'd also probably be inclined at some point to carefully go through that chest, examining each piece - I know I would. I'd find a special place for the treasure, perhaps for each piece. I'd take care of and protect it. I'd want to share it with those I love as well. A gift like this would change your life.

How do we look at the word of Christ, the scriptures? Do we give it a careful examination? Do we consider it to be of great worth to us? Do we share it with those we love? Do you let it change your life?

It's helpful to consider the words that the Savior didn't use here. He didn't say "whoso readeth my word, shall not be deceived" or "whoso has heard my word" or "whoso has my word on their bookshelf." He uses a word that describes more than even an action like "studying." To "treasure up" connotes a happiness and value. I looked it up in the dictionary and it had two definitions that both fit:

(1) to keep or take great care of something because it is very valuable or important to you

(2) to feel happy, for example because you are doing something that you enjoy

Conclusion
Reading the scriptures is great. Studying the scriptures is even better. Treasuring up the scriptures is ideal and the admonition given by the Savior himself to help us see through the deceit of the adversary at the last day (today!). May we all (myself included) make greater efforts to treasure up the Word of Christ so that we can be prepared for His Second Coming and not be deceived in the meantime.

Don't Be a Hypocrite

You've probably heard someone say, "If you're going to talk the talk, you better walk the walk." Or said another way, "practice what you preach." Hypocrisy is when you teach or advocate something publicly and then do not practice it in private.

Jesus is not a fan of hypocrisy (obviously). In fact, he had some pretty harsh words for the pharisees and scribes when he called them out for their hypocrisy:

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! ... Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?" 

He did not mince words. One of my favorite of the Savior's metaphors was directed at these hypocritical teachers of the people in Matthew 23:27-28:

27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. 

28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

He warns his disciples that while they should do many of the things the pharisees and scribes taught (they taught from the scriptures), they should beware to not do the things that they did:

"All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not."

The prophet Abinadi observed the same thing happening with King Noah's wicked priests. He asked  them "If ye teach the Law of Moses, why do ye not keep it?"

This seems to be an easy trap to fall into when you're in power and care more about using the Word to stay in power than to serve the Lord. A good leader does the exact opposite. The Lord prescribed this model for leaders:

"But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." 

This is also important in parenting. Some parents take the approach of telling their kids essentially, "Do as I say and not as I do." Good luck with that. Every child wants to be like his mom or dad. They mimic their parents from a very early age. They try to wear their parents' shoes, and they repeat the phrases their parents use, often to the embarrassment of their parents (my two-year-old is now saying, "what the heck?" ... *face palm*)!

Lastly, it's not possible to experience an inner peace while living a double-life. When there's a disconnect between your words and your actions, turmoil and uneasiness will be your constant companion. Jesus's invitation to change and repent included the pharisees discussed here, and it includes us.

We can always repent and close the gap between our words and deeds. It's never too late to walk the walk because the Savior has already satisfied the demands of justice for us. Turn to him for He is the way to your inner peace in this life and salvation in the life to come.

This Parable Is Actually about Me

This Parable Is Actually about Me

How often do you read one of the Savior's parables and think that you're the righteous one, the Good Samaritan or the shepherd seeking out the lost sheep? Do you ever think in your mind that the foolish virgin or the prodigal son is someone else? Someone less active in the gospel. I know I've been guilty of that. A comment made in Sunday School helped me realize I've been looking at these parables completely wrong. They're about me.

I am the lost sheep

In Luke 15 the Savior shares a parable about a shepherd with 100 sheep, one of which is lost. The shepherd leaves the 99 and searches until he finds the lost sheep. Once found, he carries it on his shoulders rejoicing. How easy is it to assume the lost sheep is the neighbor or friend of yours who is not attending church?

The reality is that I am the lost sheep because I make mistakes, mistakes that distance myself from God. I'm in need of daily repentance. I need the Savior to find me, to carry me, to never give up on me. Don't we all?

I am the lost piece of silver

In the same chapter, Luke 15, the Savior shares another parable about something that is lost. This time a woman loses one of her ten pieces of silver. She lights a candle, sweeps the house, and searches diligently until she finds it, rejoicing that it has been found. Isn't it easy to think someone else is the lost piece of silver, waiting to be found, and that we're the woman who must go to the rescue?

We do have a responsibility as disciples of Christ to search out the lost sheep and the lost piece of silver. But there's more to this parable than just that. Sometimes I am the lost piece of silver. Sometimes I feel down, hopeless, lost. Don't we all have moments like that? Or days? Weeks? Months? It's so easy to hide, to quietly sit in the back of the room, to go through the motions, to smile like everything is OK when we're feeling empty and lost inside.

Sometimes we need to allow ourselves to be found, to be served, to be lifted. When the candlelight of a concerned family member, ward member, or friend shines on us, seeking us, we must be willing to be found. Why do we have chapels to gather together weekly if not to lift one another? There's a time to lift others and a time to allow others to lift us.

I am the prodigal son

In the Savior's parable of the prodigal son (also in Luke 15), I always figured I was the son who stayed home, who stayed faithful. I applied the parable from that perspective and truly have benefited from what I've learned. The prodigal son receives his inheritance and wastes it away "in riotous living." He hits rock bottom and humbly returns to his father, who receives him with open arms. The father was obviously awaiting the return of his son for "when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran [to him]."

I now realize that I am the prodigal son. I have been given such tremendous blessings in my life. Blessings that I don't feel I've earned but which the Father has entrusted me nonetheless (e.g., my beautiful, incredible, compassionate wife!). Yet I make so many mistakes. I lose my patience. I make selfish choices. I squander opportunities the Lord gives me to progress. I fall short. I'm the one who has to kneel at the end of each day, with humble head bowed, to beg for another chance, to plead for redemption. Through the grace He so fully proffers me, a grace I may never fully comprehend, my Father hears my prayers, and with knowing compassion and love, runs to my aid with open arms. 

I am the foolish virgin

In Matthew 25 the Savior taught a parable of ten virgins who awaited the arrival of the bridegroom. The five wise virgins brought sufficient oil for their lamps such that they would be prepared for his late hour arrival. The foolish had insufficient oil and were gone seeking a refill when the bridegroom arrives and shuts them out. I always assumed I was one of the wise virgins and pitied the foolish, but now I see it differently.

Oil in the lamp represents faith, testimony, and preparedness, all of which have a very short shelf life. If I'm not constantly refilling my lamp, I quickly begin to run on fumes and can easily run out completely. In this case I am unprepared for the bridegroom. Not just unprepared for the Second Coming, a great advent of which no man knows the timing, but prepared to receive the Savior daily in my life. I've covenanted to take His name upon me and to remember Him. That's a promise to receive Him. He stands at the door and knocks, but am I opening the door of my heart and letting him in? Am I prepared to do so?

I sometimes fail to dedicate the necessary time to refill my lamp. It impacts my day. It can impact my week. When I drop the ball on spiritual preparation or fail to make time to attend the temple, I am not prepared to receive the Savior. This parable is a reminder to me, the foolish one, to do better next time, to try harder, to constantly fill and trim my lamp, to always be prepared.

Conclusion 

The Savior's parables humble and instruct me.

I am the slothful servant who buries my talent.

My heart can be the stony ground, the thorny grown, or the wayside, unprepared for the seed.

I am the unforgiving debtor.

I am the prideful, hypocritical pharisee.

I hide my face as I pass by the wounded man on the road to Damascus.

The list goes on...

Please don't interpret my thoughts as self-loathing. I write in the spirit of self-reflection with a greater self-awareness. We can all do better, and there is so much to learn from the parables in the New Testament as we study them with eyes to see and ears to hear. When I put myself in the shoes of the sinner in these parables (aren't we all sinners?), my eyes are opened to the true dependence I have on the Savior, Jesus Christ. I recognize how critical His mercy is to my progression and my salvation. I feel closer to Him, more grateful for Him. I feel an urgency to do better, and because of Him, I can.

The Simplicity on the Other Side of Complexity

"I would not give a fig for the simplicity this side of complexity, but I would give my life for the simplicity on the other side of complexity."  -Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.

Adam and Eve

Adam and Eve experienced the simplicity on this side of complexity as they lived blissfully in the Garden of Eden. Life was easy.

When they were cast out of the Garden, the simplicity was replaced with complexity. By the sweat of their brow they had to toil for every meal. Thistles and thorns and all the dangers of a telestial world threatened them. A son killed his brother. Even their spiritual lives were fraught with complexity as they were given commandments without understanding the "why":

6 And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me. 

7 And then the angel spake, saying: This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth. (Moses 5:6-7)

However, were it not for their experience and struggle with the complexity, they never would have discovered the simplicity on the other side of complexity, and it was all worth it. Hear what they had to say:

10 And in that day Adam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God. 

11 And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient. (Moses 5:10-11)

The Faith Journey

Simply put, our faith does not stand still; it has a very short shelf-life. Faith also has an interesting life-cycle, as we saw in the example of Adam and Eve. A similar pattern often happens with missionaries or college students as they leave the simplicity of youthful faith and are faced with complexities and ambiguities, sometimes for the first time in their lives.

When we notice the gap between the ideal and the real, it can be tough. For example, realizing the youth leader (or bishop or parent) that we idolized as a kid is a fallible human being, just like us, it can be tough. When we learn that our fellow missionaries are imperfect, just like us, it can be tough. When we first encounter an aspect of church history that is difficult to understand, or we are faced with doubts that come from the growing chasm between the Church and the world, it can certainly be tough.

These faith challenges, like any challenge in life, are ultimately for our benefit and can strengthen us if we learn and grow from them. When we arrive at the other side of the complexity, having overcome with the Lord's help, we look back and see the benefit of the complexity. As Holmes suggests, the clarity on the other side of complexity is worth the cost - worth every complexity we face.

My Encouragement

To those currently on this side of complexity, where simplicity exists because life is smooth-sailing, I warn that complexity will inevitably come. Complexity is a requirement of mortality because it facilitates personal growth. We cannot remain innocent in the Garden of Eden forever, as fun as that may sound, because we will never become who God intends us to become. Brace yourself. Make a choice to doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith, and when challenged, cling to the testimony you've already gained.

To those who are currently in the midst of complexity, don't ever forget that God loves you. He is aware of you and will turn this complexity into a blessing you cannot yet begin to comprehend. Hang in there. The clarity on the other side of complexity is worth the struggle.

You have friends and loved ones who will help you, so don't be afraid to ask for help. Ask your questions. Bring up your concerns. And most importantly, you have a Savior who perfectly understands your challenges, and His hand of mercy is always stretched out toward you. He truly stands at the door and knocks; all you have to do is open your heart and your mind to Him.

And finally, to those who have found the simplicity on the other side of complexity, please realize that complexities never truly end. I still have questions that I haven't found good answers to, but they don't cause me to question what I do know. Don't take the simplicity for granted. Be kind and especially mindful of those in the midst of their complexity. Help them get to the other side without judgment. Give others hope by sharing the peace and confidence that comes with the simplicity of the other side of complexity.

Conclusion

If you've ever heard someone share their testimony about the joy of living the gospel or about how simple the gospel is or about how "it all just makes sense," that's the fruit of the simplicity on the other side of complexity. That joy, peace, and confidence is real. You can have it in your life as well. It's only possible through the atoning sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ, an atonement that was made for you. His grace is sufficient for you, and His intention is to get you there.

Acknowledgment
I appreciate the words of Elder and Sister Hafen that have helped me understand the principles outlined above. I recently read their book Faith Is Not Blind, listened to some podcast interviews they did on the Leading Saints podcast, and read the devotional address Elder Hafen gave at BYU 30 years ago.