Seeing Through Spiritual Lenses

            I have such a hard time looking at life through a spiritual lens. I believe this to be my biggest millstone in life because looking at my life through strictly natural lenses us extremely depressing. When I am not looking at life through a spiritual lens I tend to look at the worst case scenario in my trials and tribulations making them un-bearable.

            One perfect example is when my mom died because all I did was lament on her death instead of rejoicing her transition from this life to the next, from her constant pain and suffering to having a chance to reconnect with her-self and prepare for the resurrection. Instead I questioned were her spirit went and what is after this life. Instead of feeling for her spiritual presence, I was too wrapped up in her physical absence.

When I first joined the church I was able to see everything through a spiritual lens and I was able to handle even the worst moments in my life better, seeing a higher purpose then seeing it through just my own eyes which would have me believe that “stuff happens”. I honestly have no idea when I lost the ability, when I stopped using that lens, never really thought about it until today. Now I know what has been lacking and what I’ve needed in my life to help me.

Today is the day that I make a conscious effort to pick up and put on the spiritual lens I need in order to survive this life and see if for what it really is, a time of testing, refining, seeking, learning, growing, and serving. Today is the day I start looking beyond and into the enternal.

“O, my beloved brethren, remember the awfulness in transgressing against that Holy God, and also the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one. Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal.” -2^nd Nephi 9:39

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. -Romans 8:5-6

To the faithful, spirituality is a lens through which we view life and a gauge by which we evaluate it. The Apostle Paul expressed this thought in two of his letters:

“We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Cor. 4:18.)

“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” (Rom. 8:5–6.)

To be spiritually minded is to view and evaluate our experiences in terms of the enlarged perspective of eternity.

Each of us has a personal lens through which we view the world. Our lens gives its special tint to all we see. It can suppress some features and emphasize others. It can also reveal things otherwise invisible. Through the lens of spirituality, we can know “the things of God” by “the Spirit of God.” (1 Cor. 2:11.) As the Apostle Paul taught, such things are “foolishness” to the “natural man.” He cannot see them “because they are spiritually discerned.” (See 1 Cor. 2:14.)

How we interpret our experiences is also a function of our degree of spirituality. Some interpret mortality solely in terms of worldly accomplishments and possessions. In contrast, we who have a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ should interpret our experiences in terms of our knowledge of the purpose of life, the mission of our Savior, and the eternal destiny of the children of God. -Spirituality Dallin H. Oaks

"...and he loved her"

July 16^th marks the fifth year anniversary of my marriage and I am extremely grateful for these last five years. We have been through so much in the last five years, learned so much as well. During this time we have been able to strike out on our own having purchased our first (and current) home, as well as giving birth to two beautiful little girls who make this house a real home. We’ve been through the death of a parent, and other tragic or stress filled scenarios in our time together so I am confident to say that we have been through our fair share of good and bad but yet I feel like I lack in our marriage in a very important way.

            My wife knows that I love her; she at least tells me that she believes me when I tell her that I do and yet she has informed time and time again that she does not feel like I consider her a priority in my life. Subsequently my wife has cultivated feelings of insecurity, depression, is constantly tired, and never feels like she gets anything done. I know I am dense, however I didn’t know just how dense I was until today looking at comments on a thread I started in one of my classes where one in particular stood out in conjunction with Genesis 24:67:

I dreamed all night last night this part of this scripture: " and he loved her". This touched me in so many ways. Isaac loved Rebekah. I want to say in a physical way and in a spiritual way. As a woman it is important for a husband to "love" her.

This discussion is about the role of women and what they can do as women. I would venture to say that a woman can do more when she is loved by her husband. A woman can serve and work and give and do until she drops if she knows she is supported and loved.

Rebekah was loved. Isaac loved her. She, in return, loved him. That is how it is supposed to be. She was able to do what was asked of her and Isaac was able to fulfill his purpose because they had each other. I believe we, as husbands and wives, have the same responsibility to strengthen and lift our spouse...because in the end, it strengthens both.

            This comment really got me thinking about my role as her husband and if I am really pulling my emotional, spiritual, and physical weight. Just because I think what I am doing is sufficient does not mean it is. I think this example of Rebekah and Isaac should motivate all of us husbands into action to ensure that we are not merely loving our wives, but that we are ensuring that they know that they are loved, and support them for all they do for us.

I Know Not, Save the Lord Commanded Me

            In the beginning of mankind when Adam dwelled upon the earth he was commanded to offer sacrifices unto the Lord after being driven out of the Garden of Eden. While this portion of history is not covered in the book of Genesis but only hinted at when the Lord made coverings of skin for Adam and Eve to wear. It is also further hinted at in a Jewish pseudepigraphical book left out of cannon known as “The Life of Adam and Eve” or “The Apocalypse of Moses” when Adam is allowed to take sweet spices (to offer sacrifices) and seeds for his food (chapters 22-30).

            However in LDS theology, we have an additional book of reference known as the “Book of Moses” which is a restored translation of the first few chapters of Genesis. In it we read about a clear commandment to Adam and Eve to offer sacrifice:

4 And Adam and Eve, his wife, called upon the name of the Lord, and they heard the voice of the Lord from the way toward the Garden of Eden, speaking unto them, and they saw him not; for they were shut out from his presence.

5 And he gave unto them commandments, that they should worship the Lord their God, and should offer the firstlings of their flocks, for an offering unto the Lord. And Adam was obedient unto the commandments of the Lord. (Moses 5:4–5)

Initially Adam and Eve offered sacrifice simply because they were commanded to do so, but later on an angel came to explain the purpose of the law of sacrifice:

6 And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me.

7 And then the angel spake, saying: This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth.

8 Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou doest in the name of the Son, and thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son forevermore. (Moses 5:6–8)

            For the reader, this span of time is but just a couple of minutes of time but for Adam and Eve, they did this for some time before and angel of the Lord came to ask why they did it and Adam’s response speaks volumes, “I know not, save the Lord commanded me.”

            I do not know about you but for me I have always wanted and needed to know why I am to do something and not knowing eats me up inside but God does not often tell you why He wants you to do something until after you have done it. The reason why I believe is for us to be able to obtain faith, being that it is both a gift and an action. The Lord more often leads by example and having His chosen leaders doing the same. Did Adam really need to build faith or did he need to be the example to all of us, his descendants how faith is done. Why we take action when commanded, knowing that one day we WILL know why, and how, and all the mysteries in our lives and in this world will be answered.

Until then we will need faith, and we will need to take some, no, a whole lot of steps in the dark before we see the light and that is ok. If we did not need faith, we would not have things like science and religion. We would not have a choice in our lives, not really because we would already know what the road ahead had in store for us. Life would not be worthwhile and lose its flair. I hate not knowing, hate it, but I am glad that I have chosen to have faith in my life so help me through the dark time, as well as the lighter.