Friday, January 27, 2012

Interesting enough to be my 50th blog post

So, as I was already so close to the time I was to leave on my mission, I was figure my last post would be my fiftieth and we'd have a nice celebration about it all. But, things have changed, and the change is cool enough (at least to me) to qualify for my fiftieth post.

Last Tuesday (I know, old news. But I haven't been online as much as I used to), I had a nice chat with my stake president, President Score. During our conversation, he mentioned that he had received a call from Salt Lake that morning about me. Specifically, Salt Lake was curious if I was interesting in helping them by joining the pilot group for  anew MTC program geared to get missionaries through the MTC quicker. So, after some conversation about what that would entail, I accepted.

The short of it is, I will be entering the MTC three weeks later than originally planned and leaving it at the same time originally planned. Meaning I will be there for six weeks instead of nine. It sounds like a great experience and a cool opportunity. Plus, I won't be stuck there for fourteen weeks like my brother. Yeah!

Also, this does mean I'm here for three weeks more than planned. So, I guess I'll have to disappoint all who were hoping to get rid of me. But just a bit more, and on the twenty-ninth, you (and I) will get your wish.

Oh, by the way, happy fiftieth to me.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

On symbolism and being who you need to be

So, in Elder's Quorum meeting today, we were talking about a parable told by Christ (where a man comes to a wedding feast not dressed properly and is sent out). This led to a discussion about what each part of the parable meant. Some of the discussion seemed directed to establish a firm meaning (that the feast was the second coming, that the man was unprepared because he hadn't received the covenants of the gospel, etc.). During this, I brought up the idea that I've come to believe through classes at BYU and through my own study, which is that the symbols in parables and in all our church are really just tools for receiving revelation. By this, I mean that the symbols mean different things at different times to different people. And it's ok. We are to interpret for ourselves with the help of the Spirit so we can know what God wants us to know.

I love the gospel, and that it really is personal. Some people hear about standards in the church and think that everyone is held to the exact same standard and are just cookie cutter copies of each other. This is only partially true. Some standards are expected of all members of the church, but as we progress, the Holy Ghost will bring to our minds new commitments that we need to live up to. In this way, we all find ourselves with our own sets of standards. This is amazing. I know of no other church that can fully internalize this ideal. And it's only possible through personal revelation, for everyone. Every one of us can be as Nephi and learn of the truth for ourself, even if we have a prophet for a father who can already tell us everything. Revelation is the key, and the Holy Ghost provides that.

I am so grateful to my Father in Heaven, who provides a way for me to know, personally, what it is that I need to do to become who I need to be. I know that we're all on our own stage of development, and I hope we can all be a little more understanding of that. As we go forth, let us remember the differences between us, that we may strengthen our brothers and sister, regardless of where they are in their personal development.