Line Upon Line, Real Growth, Humility to See the Whole Elephant

Sorry, it probably appears I’m focusing on what appears to be an exception. I believe that sometimes what appears to be an exception is actually a true principle that God is revealing to us. I have been thinking about this for many years because I believe I may have missed the mark before even though my heart was right before the Lord. “If ye love me, keep my commandments” John 14:15. Sometimes there is more than one commandment at play and we need the Holy Ghost. Nephi said it like this,

23 For we labor diligently to write, to ^apersuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by ^bgrace that we are saved, after all we can ^cdo.

 24 And, notwithstanding we believe in Christ, we ^akeep the law of Moses, and look forward with 

steadfastness unto Christ, until the law shall be fulfilled.

 25 For, for this end was the ^alaw given; wherefore the law hath become ^bdead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ because of our faith; yet we keep the law because of the commandments.

26 And we ^atalk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we ^bprophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our ^cchildren may know to what source they may look for a ^dremission of their sins.

27 Wherefore, we speak concerning the law that our children may know the deadness of the law; and they, by knowing the deadness of the law, may look forward unto that life which is in Christ, and know for what end the law was given. And after the law is fulfilled in Christ, that they need not harden their hearts against him when the law ought to be done away.

As we come unto Christ, it is wonderful how He continues to tutor us and reveal “commandments not a few” (D&C 59:4), that open our perspectives and reveal more and more of His laws/principles/ways/thoughts/character/perfections/attributes. For me, I continue to be humbled by Him and grateful that He keeps giving “line upon line, precept upon precept” (Doct & Cov 98:12). Isaiah 55:8-9 is so enlightening. If we really believe His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are higher than our ways, then He can teach us more, only if we're humble enough to receive more. I’ve held onto the tail of the elephant before and still do at times, only to realize He is trying to show me the tusk so I can have a more complete view of the elephant (situation) and receive more light and knowledge. (Pres Dieter F Uchtdorf, "What Is Truth," January 2013, https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/print/ces-devotionals/2013/01/what-is-truth?lang=eng)

I’m in the middle of “A Whole New Mind.” I believe he is onto a true principle that leads to more light. The ones w/ a right brain tendency tend to hold onto their strengths and hold up those truths as a true principle that overshadows the left brain strengths. Those w/ the left brain tendencies tend to hold onto and hold up their strengths and principles and put more precedence on those strengths and perspectives. The perfect blend of the two is probably closer to the mind of Christ than only a right or left brain perspective. Elder Maxwell once said that we tend to focus on those things we are good at and compare our strengths to other’s weaknesses.

Faith, God requires Complete/Absolute Faith in Him

I put my finger on what bothers me about Ayn Rand’s writings in Atlas Shrugged…not that it makes it bad to read, but it can blur one’s vision if not careful. 

It is the absence of faith that really bothers me.

God had Abraham sacrifice his son when it didn’t make sense to Abraham how he could be the father of many nations if he were to sacrifice Isaac.

Joseph was called to sacrifice what he thought was virtue by practicing plural marriage.

Nephi was called to sacrifice the commandment of not killing when he was called to kill Laban.

It is the principle of faith in God over our own knowledge or wisdom. We have to learn the language of the Spirit and follow God’s command that may be, in our own estimation/calculation, to completely contradict everything we’ve held onto firmly in the past.

When you take faith in God out of the picture, it completely pulls the ground out from underneath the principle to stand on. It distorts the truth. I felt like her foundational principle was that everything could be explained and I feel like that can be dangerous. It can destroy faith. God would lead us to eventually be able to say, “I know not, save the Lord commanded me,” Moses 5:6. Nephi saying, “I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things,” 1 Nephi 11:17. I’ll build an ark even though it’s dry. And I’ll fill it with animals and open myself up to more criticism. I’m leaving Jerusalem because of a vision I’ve had that it will be destroyed. I’m going to build a boat and leave Bountiful. I’m going to build a barge and I’m going to light it with a stone through Christ touching that stone. I will look at a serpent on a stick and be healed.

All these things we do, and in the action of faith we see the salvation of God.

Pulling this into the workplace…if I put in 2 more quotes a day and stay 15 more minutes, then that will be 40 extra quotes per month. That will signify that I’m doing all in my power to place myself in a position to earn the income I desire.

Or is it better to say, “I will work my tail off while I’m here, work hard in my family, church, and civic responsibilities too and then trust that Heavenly Father will provide.” I’m not saying I shouldn’t get as many quotes out as possible, but I am saying there will always be more I can do at the office but I am choosing to spend my time differently, still with faith, but with my faith in God, not in the arm of the flesh.  

This can be the same with spiritual things too. Faith in a less worried way. “…be still, and know that I am God” Doct & Cov. 101:16.

Ponderings on Leadership, Employee/Employer

I have been pondering leadership. As I read 1 Nephi 1 it settled on my soul how Lehi was a great leader. He lead by example. If he expected his sons to follow him then he followed the Lord. We all are followers and leaders. As we work on ourselves and becoming more and more obedient to the Lord or to our priesthood leaders, then we are in a position to lead because we are showing humility and repentance, etc.

I remember my english teacher preaching to us to "show, don't tell." That is the way of a leader, he/she must "show", more than one "tells."

The Doctrine and Covenants teaches us to teach by "precept and example."

I have really been drawn to pondering leadership because I have felt very critical of the way my managers at work have chosen to lead. I feel like they aren't implementing true principles. They love to read about true principles but they don't seem to implement them. They choose to lead by instilling fear and force.

I have felt that I need to be humble and obedient. Sometimes when I see the irony of a leader demanding me to do something they don't do, it becomes easy to kick back and not want to do it because of the hypocrisy. Sometimes I just see it differently. I want to have balance in my life. When I'm at work I'm going to work hard but I have family, church, and civic responsibilities too and I need that balance or I'll be a failure. So, it's hard to want to be obedient to every whim that they give to us.

If this was a priesthood setting I would have to humbly submit, so my question is, "should I just humbly submit or should I openly communicate with them about things I feel are not correct?" I have openly communicated with them in the past and been shut down. I've tried to do it very discreetly but I have felt completely ignored and then a harsh rebuttal comes from them as if to say, "we know best, you're just prideful." So, I'm caught a little. I used to just say, "ok, I'll do it your way," but I'm not so sure I shouldn't temper their ideas that aren't just or correct.

I'll keep seeking guidance. This chapter in 1 Nephi 1 shows Lehi, a leader, being humble to the commands of the Lord and therefore, being blessed. Nephi, the subordinate, is humble, seeks a witness that his father is lead by God, implements his father's will, and then becomes a leader too. Is this scenario different than at work. If we desire to be in the kingdom of God then we must follow God's leaders. If we desire to be a part of a company (kingdom), then we must be obedient to their leaders. I think that feels right. If their whims and laws become so out of line with my core values then I would have to make a decision if I want to be a part of this company. This seems logical and correct, no matter how much I disagree with what they implement, if I'm a part of this company, then I must submit.

I guess this is the same way that church members can be faithful members of the church but still live in a socialist or communist country. We believe in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law...even in our companies. Even if they aren't following perfect governing principles.