Sections:

Befriending Others

Time Travel: The Privilege and Cross of the Saviors

To Minister: Not Just a Servant, But a Friend

 

 

 

Befriending Others

-befriend those different than you. Travel from your planet to another’ to investigate the alien species, to learn to love it and help it rise with you. Each person is like a different star in the cosmos, and yes! We can travel to them!
-Jesus spent time with people who had different values than himself. He knew that was part of being one of God’s people, that you live “in but not of the world”. Among all types of people, but not breaking our agreements with the Lord on how we will eat, sleep, etc. Jesus spoke of a man who helped another wounded on a roadside, the good Samaritan, who helped the man on the dangerous road despite the possibility of getting shanked.
-we’re counseled to choose positive influences for who we will have as our closest friends. People who will help us live our standards, not mock us or try to persuade us to do things we do not believe in doing.
-The Holy Ghost has a distinct role of warning us of danger when such is present, rely on that guidance (President Packer recent General Conference Address 2013)

 

Time Travel: The Privilege and Cross of the Saviors 

 

Note: Literal Time Travel is impossible, I think even for God. It would alter the agency of man. Of course visions of past and future are possible. This essay is about helping others and putting yourself in their shoes, and the joy and sorrow that can entail.

Topics: missionary, friend, sing, salvation, sorrow, darkness, confusion, consecration, leader, stranger

There comes a point in the path of duty according to the holy law of consecration wherein you will be willing to relive the past of yourself or others, it being the present of others
-You will keep specific elements vague in most cases, but for the sake of those walking where you once walked, you will remember the sorrow, the joy, the discovery, confusion, every element, and you will celebrate their lives, celebrate where they are in the path of life, celebrate what they are feeling, embrace their struggle, and sing with them.
-You will disassociate these feelings with your personal life, but you will nonetheless travel into the place of the initiate once more to go this time as an assistant, but with them there you are none the less.
-You feel what they feel, you put aside the answers and allow yourself to embrace the struggle, for their sake. And with you, they will climb to salvation, though perhaps not without you.
-My name is Stranger. You used to be me. “Once I was a stranger.” They took me in. Now I take you in.
-Don’t question my faith because I’m willing to spend an hour as an angel with the lords who now suffer. What I do may seem strange to an outsider, but it may be the only means possible to reach a select few I’ve been called to find. Friendship is always the first step to brotherhood. Brotherhood is always the first step to Godhood. All this being said, let it be understood that we never no never break the laws of God. Though what we do in the rescue may break some stipulations and assumptions, it will never break the laws of God.

-When traveling time as described above, we do not need to excuse ourselves in bad behavior; we can travel cultures to reach those living therein, but we cannot partake of the sins thereof.

 

 

To Minister: Not Just a Servant, But a Friend

 

We are learning in the church that ministering to others more often means being their friend than preaching to them. We show them how we are happy and satisfied human beings, and often leave it up to them to put 2 and 2 together and realize that we are Latter-day Saints (“hm that castle-like picture on their wall with the golden trumpeting angel on top, where have I seen that before?”). We show them that “this is me” and that “I am glad” and that “I love YOU” (you may be one of the few or only person in this world who does).

Living our religion at its core only entails 2 things: keeping the commandments of God, and cultivating a genuine love for fellow human beings. Do we really love people? Better yet, do we “like” people? In other words, do we just serve them because we should, or is it from a well of genuine concern for their happiness?

Do we share not only their burdens but their joys? We used to say as we home-taught, “if you need anything let me know, I’m here for you.” But what we now say as we become more truly ministers is, “lets hang out just because I think you’re neat!” In today’s world I think the need is more often for a friend than for a slave. For example, instead of “let me know if I can do anything to help!” (Master says I must serve you. Tell me quickly so I can do it and be on my way. This isn’t my ideal idea of an evening so keep it short.) go for “Will you play with me?” (I want you to be a part of my life. I understand the doctrine of Christ which says we are all brothers and sisters, and I find joy in finding common ground with you).

Further, my experience is that we must offer things rather than waiting for people to ask for things. In today’s culture, we are very independent, and the concept of getting help from “an outsider” is very foreign to us. First of all, we’re trying to not be outsiders. The word fellowship is interesting. At a university, the title fellow often connotates that you have significantly contributed to the organization of the field of your expertise. Perhaps when we become a fellow to our neighbors etc., we are contributing in a most significant way to their wellbeing. And the happy result is always that it brightens our own souls when we do this.

I also think we should ask others for help, even those we minister to. Allowing someone to serve you, even asking them to serve you, is a way of showing trust and love. People need to feel like they are useful in this world. They can be if you ask them to be. Many are laborers willing to help, wanting to help, waiting to help (Haha! a reference to “My Fair Lady” with Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn), but they need help finding how to do that. Friends help each other.