This concluding address was mostly to give thanks and recognition to the participants, but the second paragraph was the challenge that started me creating this blog. I have now read all of the talks of every general session and the priesthood session. I will say that the self created impetus of the Blog assured that I would actually do it this time. It was well worth it, mostly in spiritual ways as words often fail to express the meanings imparted when pondering, praying and then writing the summarized results.
I learned in this project to create and use a blog as many have recommended. It was far easier than I thought. Now what use can or should be made for this tool now? Perhaps after April conference I will use Line by Line... again. I can see many uses for the immediate future:
- Use a Blog for planning a family gathering or reunion
- Write a book a little at a time
- Write short stories or thoughts
- Post articles about a field or topic of interest to others
Any other ideas would be appreciated in comments. Thank you for your interest. I have heard that some of you actually read some of these posts and if they helped it is well.
Until next time,
James R. Allen - Intermediate Blogger
Of course, having had many fly fishing experiences, both successful and not so, I find the example compelling. It is exhilarating to feel the strike and then to reel in that fish. Here he uses the fly and it's deception to help us see the how this "lie" entices the fish with the end being misery and death. Today, we are surrounded with the enticements of this enemy, the father of all lies. How easy it is for us at any time of our lives to be enticed and then convinced that "evil is good and good is evil."
I well remember the experience with a young adult. She appeared normal, well dressed and was attending her church meetings, at least for the few weeks I noticed her. Then one night, when closing up the two story church building, the two of us remaining to do this chore were startled. After pulling the electric switch back in the stage area of the cultural hall, leaving the building totally dark, we heard this tremendous noise of breaking glass coming from the second story where classrooms were located. With some fear, we went together upstairs and found this young woman there, having thrown bricks through the windows from inside. We got her settled down and somehow back to her apartment. Over the next few days with our help, she consulted with a specialist. The sad story was that she had fallen victim of drugs. They were being used by some "friends" and she had gone along. The doctor told us that there was little hope then for her recovery. He said that the only way she would be free would be to send her to a facility far away from roads and with no phone access and that it might take years. His opinion was that if she could make contact, she would find a way to obtain the substances which would eventually destroy her.
Today, after hearing his talk, Elder Ballard has held out hope for all desiring relief to be able to find it. My experience has also indicated that outside help at some point is the only proven way to be free of many addictions common to so many today. I concur with the advice to seek that help early but for many the requirement of putting aside pride and becoming humble enough to find the help is the hardest part. What a sad story he told of that married woman, as a result of pain, becoming an addict in a way most would not expect. Sincere prayer is the only road to obtain the spiritual help needed. It is the path to demonstrate to the Lord and to yourself that faith necessary to obtain the blessing.
In Mosiah 26, there is this curious mention that some of the children of those who were taught and baptized by Alma did not believe and began to live contrary to the teachings of the Church then. This seems also to be a "Name" issue where they could not all be persuaded to honor their parents and believe, and so after prayer, Alma was told to judge them regarding their membership. What we do with the Lord's name today has consequences with the Church and also with the life hereafter.
Once again I am reminded of the "fence" illustration. If we want true freedoms now and in the life to come, we may create a "fence" in our minds and hearts and place within the fence those actions, thoughts, and even people dangerous to our eternal life, while we stay outside of this "fence" in a life of freedom. On the contrary, if we choose to participate in actions, thoughts and with people of the same contrary beliefs, we place ourselves inside this fence, looking out at "freedom" on the other side.
Then we see in this talk, the story of the cow who would not stay outside of the fence made for its protection and wherein lay the poisonous plants. How sad that the cow wanted that forbidden substance so much that the physical boundary could not keep her safe.
We are reminded that as parents, the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet gives the warnings for our children to stay out of the forbidden "fence" and stay free of the bitter consequences of poor choices.
I am so grateful for the resources the Church provides to help parents, families and leaders to keep us "free." In the city of Salvador here in Brasil, one mission president assigned some missionaries to collect all of the published material that the various other churches provided for their followers. This took several months, but at last the materials were all collected and placed on one table. Then all the materials printed here for the benefit of the members and seekers here were placed on another table. The two collections were about the same in size and amount but the cost to the members for our table's material was far less and easier to obtain.
Elder Mazzagardi was Danny's mission president and now he speaks to us as a Seventy assigned in Brasil. He speaks from his heart and has the Spirit with him. Here, on that quiet one-on-one walk with his granddaughter he felt the Spirit and it helped him set up a memorable parable for her to remember. In so doing, as you read the talk, you feel that the story about the stone fence post also was important for him. It led him to the principles of the tree of life and the fruit. We need that soft, quiet, still, small voice to spark in us the opportunity to teach, first to our loved ones, then to others, but also important, to our hearts. The stone post was a victim of plants and was uprooted and its usefulness destroyed. As we walk or drive here in Brasil, it is easy to see how quickly plants can take over. We comment about it to each other because it is amazing how fast this happens. So it is with sin, starting small and innocent looking, it grows quickly. At the Park here, there is a crew that works every day to keep the park from actually disappearing and the structures decaying. "The post does not realize what is happening."
The Tree of Life story shows us that it is worth it to put off sin, to hold the rod, stay on the path. It also shows us how quickly and easily we can lose the path and feel that we are ok.
He taught us:
- Be alert because small choices can bring great consequences.
- Sin often starts with choice of friends that lack correct standards.
- Be alert to not let sin grow around us.
- Decisions about standards must be made in advance.
- This I will do because it is right
- This I will not do because it will drag me away from truth.
- If we sin, look for help quickly, alone we cannot escape sin's trap.
- Parents can help.
- Your Bishop can help.
Then that classic lesson from his granddaughter about priesthood. After her baptism interview he asked; "how did it go?" She responded; "Grandpa, an interview is confidential. You know that."
