We had a great opportunity this weekend. We had one of Jesus' own apostles here in town and we got to listen to him talk. His name is Elder David A. Bednar. I have to say, it was pretty great and not in the way one might think. He reminded us that we have somebody with us all the time who can act for God on our behalf--our stake president, and I think from the amount of people there, and the 2 extra buildings full of overflow, it was an unexpected message. Normally, stake conference is vacation weekend for even the faithfully active. He told us all to listen to the guy that speaks to us at every conference and not wait for some one special to show up.
I had a few things stick in my head from his remarks. One was given as a one line quote from Elder Neal A. Maxwell while he was struggling with leukemia. He (Maxwell) said, "It's more important not to shrink than to survive." In looking for a scriptural reference for that, I came upon actual words from Elder Maxwell. It may be one of the best talks I've ever read and could give me enough little one-liners for a months worth of blog postings.
I guess pondering on the things we hear and feel really is important--even if it leads us away from the person heard to some place completely different. By the way, the scriptural reference is Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-19.
Compared with the verse in Luke 22:4216 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.
42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing remove this cup from me; Nevertheless not my will, but thine be done.I'm not exactly sure what the meaning is. Is he saying if he drinks the bitter cup--goes through the suffering, he has to do it without shrinking--he has to carry the load with his head up? No whining or complaing--no wanting a reward for enduring it--giving the glory to the Father? Or is it that following His will would have been the "shrinking". The meaning of his words kind of remind me of the difference between enduring to the end and just lasting. I don't have the ultimate conclusion to my thoughts yet--more pondering.
I include the full text of "The Pathway to Discipleship" because it's that good.
1 comment:
I believe the word "shrink" means to not magnify one's calling, or to try to escape one's duty, (think Jonah and Nineveh). Basically boils down to sin of omission.
In D&C 19:18, I believe that when it says "and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink-", the "and shrink" part could be implied to be something like "and {in so doing would be escaping my duties and suffering the effects from disobedience}". Although, I do find it interesting his use of the word "shrink". Probably understands something about how disobedience would be in effect shrinking some part of our soul.
I think the gist of Elder Maxwell's quote is that it once again removes excuses. He went through leukemia. That is an experience that most of us have no idea about. And yet, the understanding he received from the trial of his faith is that no mortal experience or trial will remove our accountability for not obeying God's commandments or fulfilling our callings, (especially the call of Parent, which we will never be released from). If leukemia nor going through the atonement is enough to allow one to "shrink" from the commandments of God or one's duties, what excuse then do we have when things get a little rough or don't turn out the way we want them to?
I think Elder Carlson of the Seventy did a good job summing this up in his April 2010 GC address:
"At times we may rationalize that the Lord will understand our disobedience because our special circumstances make adherence to His laws difficult, embarrassing, or even painful. However, faithful obedience, regardless of the apparent size of the task, will bring the Lord’s guidance, assistance, and peace."
I love Elder Maxwell's ability to take all the false traditions of our world and in a few short words pronounce that the "Emperor has no clothes!".
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