Every now and then I read something that so profoundly touches me that I feel forever changed by it. Yesterday I had one of those experiences. I hope to be able to express my feelings adequately.
This is undoubtedly one of the most personal posts I have made on this blog. It expresses one of my greatest weaknesses. It is a weakness that I have always had but not really understood until yesterday. I hope you can be patient with me.
Brother Denver Snuffer is an author that I greatly admire. This year alone I have read his “The Second Comforter” 5 times and have given at least a half-dozen copies to others. I have read “Nephi’s Isaiah” twice, “Eighteen Verses” once, “Beloved Enos” once, and now “Come, Let US Adore Him” once. I have learned a tremendous amount from each one of them and have had several of these profound experiences from them. Yesterday’s came form his newest book “Come, Let Us Adore Him”.
Chapter 10 of this book is titled “The Rich Young Man”. Of course it tells the story found in the New Testament of the rich young man that came to the Savior asking what he must do to inherit eternal life.
In Matthew 19 we read “16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. “
Brother Snuffer writes “In answer to the young man’s question about what he must do, Christ replied simply, ‘keep the commandments.’ All of us may have hope for eternal life by keeping the commandments. But the young man knew there had to be more. He knew that people who believed in Christ, and people who were critics of Christ, all tried in their own way to keep the commandments. To the credit of the young man he wanted more. He wanted the kind of spiritual certitude that comes from something more than mere outward obedience. He wanted his heart to be right before God. So he pressed the point with Christ and asked : ‘Which?’ His question implies that if there was a commandment that could answer the awful need, the nagging uncertainty inside him, and if Christ would tell him what it was, he would readily conform to that key commandment. This was a sincere young man who genuinely wanted to find the missing key to true worship.”
Christ goes on to rehearse the Ten Commandments where the young man replies “And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these I have observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give it to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.” (Mark 10: 20-21)
Over the years I have learned a lot from this story in regards to not being greedy and not being unduly caught up in the material things of the world. Quite frankly I felt like I had learned all there was to learn form this story and was doing pretty well in this area…. until yesterday.
For many years as an adult I lived a pretty average life as a Latter-Day Saint. I tried to obey the commandments. I attended the Temple regularly, and filled several key positions in the church. I felt I was mostly on the right track. Of course I had weaknesses but I felt they were pretty common and that I was doing as well as anyone else.
In 2004, however, I felt the Lord “snatched” me out of my average life and said “I expect more out of you Scott” and proceeded to put me in some opportunities to really change. Then, a year or so later he said “you are not moving quite fast enough” and proceeded to tear my world apart. The next three years were an emotional and spiritual roller coaster.
With the help of a loving Heavenly Father I was able to learn from and move on from this particular trial. Since that time I have really tried to be better in every part of my life. I try harder to keep the commandments. I attend the temple more frequently. I read and pray much more meaningfully. As a result, I have been blessed beyond my understanding.
Due to the profound trials and blessings I have had, I began to think that Heavenly Father must have something very important for me to do; therefore he is giving me all these experiences. At the same time my friends were being called to presiding positions in the church and I began to want the blessings they were receiving from serving in these positions. In my mind it was all honorable and for “serving the Lord better.” I found myself wanting more. I wanted a more sure knowledge of things. I want the ministering of angels. I want greater understanding of the mysteries. All of this changed yesterday when I read Brother Snuffer’s commentary on The Rich Young Man.
As I read Brother Snuffer’s book, the eyes of my understanding were opened and I clearly saw myself in this story. I have felt that all of my intentions have been honorable, but suddenly I saw myself asking the Lord “Which?” He gave me a clear answer that cut me to the very core that didn’t say “sell all you have”, but asked “are you willing to go unnoticed?”
The last couple of days have been very humbling. I have spent quite some time pondering how noble my intentions have been. I have asked myself over and over again if I have been serving with an eye single to God’s glory or if that has just been in my mind? Am I guilty of seeking the spotlight while thinking I am doing it for God? I have prayed earnestly and have learned I must repent and humble myself again. I want my heart to be right with God. I must seek His will.
Showing posts with label Pride. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pride. Show all posts
Monday, December 21, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
The Great Sin
“There is one vice of which no man in the world is free; which everyone in the world loathes when he sees it in someone else; and of which hardly any people, except Christians, ever imagine that they are guilty themselves. I do not think that I have ever heard anyone who was not a Christian accuse himself of this vice. And at the same time I have very seldom met anyone, who was not a Christian, who showed the slightest mercy to it in others. There is no fault that makes a man more unpopular, and no fault which we are unconscious of in ourselves. And the more we have it ourselves, the more we dislike it in others.
The vice I am talking of is Pride or Self-Conceit.” (C.S. Lewis ‘Mere Christianity’).
Latter-day Saints are aware of the sin of pride. The Book of Mormon is filled with stories of how pride destroys. It caused the ultimate destruction of the Nephite nation. Pride has been preached from the pulpit in conference after conference and was preached in detail by President Ezra Taft Benson in the 1980’s.
C.S. Lewis writes “Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man. We say that people are proud of being rich, or clever, or good looking, but they are not. They are proud of being richer, or cleverer, or better-looking than others. If everyone else became equally rich, or clever, or good-looking, there would be nothing to be proud about. It is the comparison that makes you proud: The pleasure of being above the rest.”
My thoughts are drawn back to a Gospel Doctrine lesson that Ann (my wife) gave while teaching the New Testament some years ago. The lesson dealt with the story of Mary and Martha. As you will recall, these two women were having the Savior over to their home for dinner. After Jesus arrived, Martha busied herself preparing the meal for their guests. Mary on the other hand sat at the feet of Jesus and listened as he taught the others in the house.
In Luke 10 we read “38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Volumes have been written about this event and Ann and I have discussed it in detail. It appears to us that both Mary and Martha were doing a good thing. Neither was doing something more “right” than the other. We concluded that there was no real problem until Martha started to express that what she was doing was more important than what Mary was doing. I think it did become a pride thing.
I was so impressed by the comments of President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve, when talking about Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said, “He never sought the limelight. He personified the statement of the Master, who said, ‘He that is greatest among you shall be your servant.’ Now Joseph will experience another promise of the Lord: ‘He that shall humble himself shall be exalted’
The natural man is selfish. He wants the attention to be on himself. He wants to look good in the eyes of others. He wants to be recognized for his accomplishments. The humble follower of Christ does the opposite. He does all things to glorify the Father. He looks for opportunities to serve others. He doesn’t receive strength in the ‘arm of the flesh’ but in the power of God.
When Nephi was looking prophetically to our day, he wrote the following (2 Ne. 28:14 “They wear stiff necks and high heads, yea, and because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray, save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Jesus Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men.”
This verse is pretty frightening: It says ‘all have gone astray… except for a few’.
In Denver Snuffer’s ‘The Second Comforter’ he summarizes “The proud will fail. Their failure will come as a natural consequence of their unfitness to be in God’s presence. Their pride will keep them from doing what is required to be in His presence. Had Naaman not returned to wash himself seven times in the Jordan River, he would have died a leper. Many of us die lepers because we find such things as dipping in rivers childish. Too often we join Naaman in asking ‘Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers in Damascus, better than all of the waters of Israel? May I not wash in them and become clean?’ And join him too in reacting: ‘So he turned and went away in a rage.’ Be humble enough to do as the prophets ask you and submit to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. You will be healed if you do.”
We are all familiar with the verses found in D&C 121 “ 34 Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?
35 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—
36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.
37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.”
Recent experiences in my own life have taught me that I am guilty of pride. I have been far too selfish as well. But as I have made the effort to recommit myself to obeying the commandments and earnestly repenting every day, I am learning that in a very kind manner, the Lord makes me aware of my faults and gives me the motivation and strength to overcome them. I realize this will take a lifetime but I am working on it.
The vice I am talking of is Pride or Self-Conceit.” (C.S. Lewis ‘Mere Christianity’).
Latter-day Saints are aware of the sin of pride. The Book of Mormon is filled with stories of how pride destroys. It caused the ultimate destruction of the Nephite nation. Pride has been preached from the pulpit in conference after conference and was preached in detail by President Ezra Taft Benson in the 1980’s.
C.S. Lewis writes “Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man. We say that people are proud of being rich, or clever, or good looking, but they are not. They are proud of being richer, or cleverer, or better-looking than others. If everyone else became equally rich, or clever, or good-looking, there would be nothing to be proud about. It is the comparison that makes you proud: The pleasure of being above the rest.”
My thoughts are drawn back to a Gospel Doctrine lesson that Ann (my wife) gave while teaching the New Testament some years ago. The lesson dealt with the story of Mary and Martha. As you will recall, these two women were having the Savior over to their home for dinner. After Jesus arrived, Martha busied herself preparing the meal for their guests. Mary on the other hand sat at the feet of Jesus and listened as he taught the others in the house.
In Luke 10 we read “38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Volumes have been written about this event and Ann and I have discussed it in detail. It appears to us that both Mary and Martha were doing a good thing. Neither was doing something more “right” than the other. We concluded that there was no real problem until Martha started to express that what she was doing was more important than what Mary was doing. I think it did become a pride thing.
I was so impressed by the comments of President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve, when talking about Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said, “He never sought the limelight. He personified the statement of the Master, who said, ‘He that is greatest among you shall be your servant.’ Now Joseph will experience another promise of the Lord: ‘He that shall humble himself shall be exalted’
The natural man is selfish. He wants the attention to be on himself. He wants to look good in the eyes of others. He wants to be recognized for his accomplishments. The humble follower of Christ does the opposite. He does all things to glorify the Father. He looks for opportunities to serve others. He doesn’t receive strength in the ‘arm of the flesh’ but in the power of God.
When Nephi was looking prophetically to our day, he wrote the following (2 Ne. 28:14 “They wear stiff necks and high heads, yea, and because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray, save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Jesus Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men.”
This verse is pretty frightening: It says ‘all have gone astray… except for a few’.
In Denver Snuffer’s ‘The Second Comforter’ he summarizes “The proud will fail. Their failure will come as a natural consequence of their unfitness to be in God’s presence. Their pride will keep them from doing what is required to be in His presence. Had Naaman not returned to wash himself seven times in the Jordan River, he would have died a leper. Many of us die lepers because we find such things as dipping in rivers childish. Too often we join Naaman in asking ‘Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers in Damascus, better than all of the waters of Israel? May I not wash in them and become clean?’ And join him too in reacting: ‘So he turned and went away in a rage.’ Be humble enough to do as the prophets ask you and submit to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. You will be healed if you do.”
We are all familiar with the verses found in D&C 121 “ 34 Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?
35 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—
36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.
37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.”
Recent experiences in my own life have taught me that I am guilty of pride. I have been far too selfish as well. But as I have made the effort to recommit myself to obeying the commandments and earnestly repenting every day, I am learning that in a very kind manner, the Lord makes me aware of my faults and gives me the motivation and strength to overcome them. I realize this will take a lifetime but I am working on it.
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