Sunday, July 29, 2012
July 22 - Snippet 2
It’s 9 pm MST of July 22nd. Mary Alma and I have had a quiet, reflective day. I had breakfast at 7:30 – and I was the late bird! I made myself oatmeal with frozen blueberries, plus a green jello square. We left for Church about 8, with Grandpa driving Grandma’s car. I helped Grandma straighten her seat. (Inside, she has a plastic cutting board to sit on: she has to sit on something hard or lie down for her back.) Mary Alma had trouble getting carsick yesterday, so she got the front seat.
I enjoyed the joy of Julia McGirt, who provided the organ (and piano) accompaniment for the service. I rejoice in good music and she was brimming with good music, to overflowing. We spoke our parts, and shook hands with others, and enjoyed it. The sermon by visiting pastor Keith Geitner urged us not to become obsessed with getting everything perfect, since it is God’s grace, not our efforts, that perfect us. He urged us to free ourselves to try things (e.g., be like people with a digital camera vs a 24-shot film camera).
We ate a little and talked a little in the overflow following the meeting. A community garden where members could take food (and make donations) or donate their own garden produce occupied a large table. Grandpa told me that Duke Ellis (a Stephen minister) ran that program. Grandpa’s class was a lecture from the Great Teachers series by a woman archaeologist who recounted the basics and the debate over Josephus’ account of the mass suicide at Massada. Apparently Josephus’ audience (Romans) were not particular about historical accuracy. Josephus employed the mass suicide motif more than once, a motif which would have shown the Jews to be a noble, worthy foe for the proud Romans to have defeated.
After the Sunday school class (all of the regulars contributed money: apparently, they are their own “corporation?”), Aunt Shelly drove Mary Alma and me over to the Franklin 2nd ward building, by the Nashville temple. We were greeted by numerous people, and profited from the lessons. Sacrament meeting focused on answers to prayer, and I felt that I would receive important answers and guidance for my life in the next few days. I’m on the lookout now. Sunday school was taught by M.D. Dan Follenger (?), a BYU grad with a scholarly spin. He spent a lot of time on Anti-Nephi-Lehies. Kent Jackson’s theory is that it should be Anti-Nephi Lehies (not from Nephi, descendants of Lehi). Plausible. He also encouraged us to see what doctrines had most impressed the recent convert, King Anti-Nephi-Lehi, judging from his speech to his people. In elders quorum, we had a thoughtful lesson on applying Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s talk: The Merciful Shall Obtain Mercy. One way to avoid getting mad is to note when we usually get mad and arrange our lives to avoid these situations (e.g., leaving early for work so we won’t be impatient).
At 2:06, Aunt Shelly picked us up, but we had to go to Sam’s for Uncle Billy (who was buying watermelon), so we didn’t get home till quarter to 3. We had a light lunch of sourdough bread, toasted cheese and Fleischman’s margarine, pepper and tomatoes + Gatorade (for me: Grandpa had bought me some at a gas station during our trip to New Johnsonville Saturday). We did Sudoku and I did show and tell with our photos from the first half of the vacation with Unc. At 5:45, we had dinner (soup, bread, crackers, tomatoes, and more of the frozen vanilla yoghurt + gluten-free peach/cherry cobbler – I was surprised to find cherry even better than the peach!).
Just like Christmas, I don’t want today to end. Do you know the feeling?
After dinner, Grandma showed me photos on their digital slide show that Andy had set up. I’m a little sad we haven’t seen more of Aunt Shelly and Uncle Billy, but they are understandably stressed with school and work, respectively, and I don’t want to be a drag on their time. Plus, I have a feeling my real happiness will not depend on making others do a single activity. I wonder if I am a vanishing breed, as I do not find as much pleasure in pursuing things that make me “busy” as I do in having people that I can become busy with doing things we all find worthwhile. I would rather give up what makes me busy to be busy with people I want to be my friends (and who want to be my friends, if there are any – I have hope).
To all my readers, what else should I tell about our vacation? Let me know in the comments or on Facebook or email, or when you see me in person. :) I'm going to do (at least) one or two top ten's in my next post: feel free to suggest what they should be about.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
July 17th - A Snippet
For all you enthusiasts who want an unedited, live account, here's a journal entry from July 17th. I will be posting more vacation stuff in the near future.
Today, I woke up at 6:30, bright eyed and bushy tailed and went down to the parlor. It looked like it hadn't been visited in over a year: layers of dust to contend with, and a brown (caked dust?) coating on part of the keys, in spite of the dust cover. I eventually brought down one of the white fans to help clear the air, and commenced composing the waltz I had been trying to remember yesterday when Mary Alma watched me boot up Finale.
Around 7:45, Unc appeared, and I took a break. I was happy to find Unc's Book of Mormon, and sad to find it very dusty and unused, like so many other things in this large house. The contents were still fresh and snappy. I seemed to find things that spoke to Unc's situation.
I had breakfast (peach and Total cereal with icewater from the fridge), but Unc told me he doesn't eat breakfast anymore. He did call to announce the softball games on the message line of the Bristol VA Parks and Recreation. I thought he was doing it from memory but he later told me he was reading from a paper on the floor!
He began work alone on the gigantic fallen spruce. I was grateful I had packed my jeans, but I would later be sorry that I did not pack sunscreen. We were roundly toasted with the sun in the 80s and little cloud cover. I will have nice red arms, back of the neck and forehead for the next few days.
We got things pretty well cleared out by 12:30. I got some very sticky gum on one of my shoes which led to my wearing flip flops on our subsequent travels to see Unc's work, 35 minutes away in Bristol, VA. The main office is a converted home, with Unc occupying an upstairs bedroom. He had few wall adornments, among them his awards from the Optimist club!
First, Unc and his assistant Randy finished preparing the softball fields.
At Unc's invitation, Mary Alma and I left and meandered on the paved and rock trails around the sports fields and through some woods to Resting Tree Dr, which we crossed to get a look at the Resting Tree's historic marker. Here we learned the land used to belong to the Preston Plantation, and slaves of long ago were buried in the mulchy ground underneath the large spreading tree.
We enjoyed a nice lunch at Wendy's, where the wife and daughters of one of the softball coaches Unc knows said hi. Our touring continued, this time with Unc as guide. He drove us to his office where we met the first occupants, Samantha and Carly (tabby cats).
We met Pat Malone, who like Unc, has worked with the Parks and Recreation services for over 20 years. She was a nice Tennessee lady who offered us plenty of free stuff while we were there (free cats, free paper fans, free candy, etc.). We returned to the Beaver Creek Dam; much smaller than Boone Dam (which Unc showed us on our first day), but mounted on an impressively tall (and wide) hill, with steep grassy sides (roughly 50 degrees) and long concrete culverts and a water gate at the bottom. The culverts have caused at least one serious ski accident by Unc's account.
We saw one wreck - a new looking Subaru jeep had been rear-ended by a little car: the Subaru looked untouched but the car's hood was crumpled in over a foot. Leaving Wendy's, we got behind a wrecking truck carrying a red car that had been crumpled up to the driver's door, which was forced slightly open.
Unc returned to the fields to plug in the scorekeeping consoles. The first one was temperamental and only worked after unplugging and replugging it many times. The second worked almost instantly. We returned to the office and met the lady over the women's programs, a full time employee who can't wait to be retired (Joyce). She covered the night's games. Unc is covering tomorrow and Thursday, much to our chagrin, but what can you do? TN was suffering a horrible drought (along with much of the Eastern United States) and only last week did they have a solid week of rain-outs, pushing back the softball tournament schedule to our vacation week. So it goes.
We got home around 6:45 and after some TV and political talk, we carried turkey, condiments, drinks (including a tupperware container filled with refrigerator water), chips, a warmed can of beans, a radio (and more) to the dock. Unc likes nights on the dock ("It's so peaceful," as he put it). We stayed till after dark and talked and listened. Luckily, we have been doing bug spray faithfully and insect bites have been few.
Back at the house, there was more TV and (for me) some computer time, after I had finished the sticky task of cleaning my gummy shoe. Unc tried to help, chipping at the sole with a putty knife: I should have stopped him, because the soles are too soft to take it, but I didn't, and now I am missing a lot of rubber along with the sticky mess. I washed off both shoes with hot water from the stove, but I question whether I will not have to buy new comfy shoes for work. These have been stretched in a big way.
To be continued... :)
Today, I woke up at 6:30, bright eyed and bushy tailed and went down to the parlor. It looked like it hadn't been visited in over a year: layers of dust to contend with, and a brown (caked dust?) coating on part of the keys, in spite of the dust cover. I eventually brought down one of the white fans to help clear the air, and commenced composing the waltz I had been trying to remember yesterday when Mary Alma watched me boot up Finale.
Around 7:45, Unc appeared, and I took a break. I was happy to find Unc's Book of Mormon, and sad to find it very dusty and unused, like so many other things in this large house. The contents were still fresh and snappy. I seemed to find things that spoke to Unc's situation.
I had breakfast (peach and Total cereal with icewater from the fridge), but Unc told me he doesn't eat breakfast anymore. He did call to announce the softball games on the message line of the Bristol VA Parks and Recreation. I thought he was doing it from memory but he later told me he was reading from a paper on the floor!
He began work alone on the gigantic fallen spruce. I was grateful I had packed my jeans, but I would later be sorry that I did not pack sunscreen. We were roundly toasted with the sun in the 80s and little cloud cover. I will have nice red arms, back of the neck and forehead for the next few days.
First, Unc and his assistant Randy finished preparing the softball fields.
At Unc's invitation, Mary Alma and I left and meandered on the paved and rock trails around the sports fields and through some woods to Resting Tree Dr, which we crossed to get a look at the Resting Tree's historic marker. Here we learned the land used to belong to the Preston Plantation, and slaves of long ago were buried in the mulchy ground underneath the large spreading tree.
We enjoyed a nice lunch at Wendy's, where the wife and daughters of one of the softball coaches Unc knows said hi. Our touring continued, this time with Unc as guide. He drove us to his office where we met the first occupants, Samantha and Carly (tabby cats).
We met Pat Malone, who like Unc, has worked with the Parks and Recreation services for over 20 years. She was a nice Tennessee lady who offered us plenty of free stuff while we were there (free cats, free paper fans, free candy, etc.). We returned to the Beaver Creek Dam; much smaller than Boone Dam (which Unc showed us on our first day), but mounted on an impressively tall (and wide) hill, with steep grassy sides (roughly 50 degrees) and long concrete culverts and a water gate at the bottom. The culverts have caused at least one serious ski accident by Unc's account.
We saw one wreck - a new looking Subaru jeep had been rear-ended by a little car: the Subaru looked untouched but the car's hood was crumpled in over a foot. Leaving Wendy's, we got behind a wrecking truck carrying a red car that had been crumpled up to the driver's door, which was forced slightly open.
Unc returned to the fields to plug in the scorekeeping consoles. The first one was temperamental and only worked after unplugging and replugging it many times. The second worked almost instantly. We returned to the office and met the lady over the women's programs, a full time employee who can't wait to be retired (Joyce). She covered the night's games. Unc is covering tomorrow and Thursday, much to our chagrin, but what can you do? TN was suffering a horrible drought (along with much of the Eastern United States) and only last week did they have a solid week of rain-outs, pushing back the softball tournament schedule to our vacation week. So it goes.
We got home around 6:45 and after some TV and political talk, we carried turkey, condiments, drinks (including a tupperware container filled with refrigerator water), chips, a warmed can of beans, a radio (and more) to the dock. Unc likes nights on the dock ("It's so peaceful," as he put it). We stayed till after dark and talked and listened. Luckily, we have been doing bug spray faithfully and insect bites have been few.
Back at the house, there was more TV and (for me) some computer time, after I had finished the sticky task of cleaning my gummy shoe. Unc tried to help, chipping at the sole with a putty knife: I should have stopped him, because the soles are too soft to take it, but I didn't, and now I am missing a lot of rubber along with the sticky mess. I washed off both shoes with hot water from the stove, but I question whether I will not have to buy new comfy shoes for work. These have been stretched in a big way.
To be continued... :)
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Land of the Free?
"Surely – certainly – it behooves patriotic citizens – such as you – to meet together to seriously consider present conditions in our beloved nation. It is imperative that American citizens become alerted and informed regarding the threat to our welfare, happiness and freedom.
No American is worthy of citizenship in this great land who refuses to take an active interest in these important matters."
Ezra Taft Benson spoke these words in 1966, but they ring just as true in 2012. A more contemporary but equally relevant message is being shared by one Ron Paul, e.g., last May.
That we have every hope of success is a sentiment shared by both the men I have mentioned. Ron Paul, despite efforts to portray him as a gloom-and-doom man, is aware of and happy for the real changes he has seen and hopes to see continue. President Benson, in a 1986 devotional, declared, "I have faith that the Constitution will be saved as prophesied by Joseph Smith. But it will not be saved in Washington. It will be saved by the citizens of this nation who love and cherish freedom. It will be saved by enlightened members of this Church--men and women who will subscribe to and abide by the principles of the Constitution."
I struggle with procrastination and leading out, but I can't ignore that we are clearly being called to preserve America's Constitution. We lovers of liberty need to meet together, physically or otherwise, and plan how we will do this. I urge all of us to heed the prophets of our time, before it is too late.
No American is worthy of citizenship in this great land who refuses to take an active interest in these important matters."
Ezra Taft Benson spoke these words in 1966, but they ring just as true in 2012. A more contemporary but equally relevant message is being shared by one Ron Paul, e.g., last May.
That we have every hope of success is a sentiment shared by both the men I have mentioned. Ron Paul, despite efforts to portray him as a gloom-and-doom man, is aware of and happy for the real changes he has seen and hopes to see continue. President Benson, in a 1986 devotional, declared, "I have faith that the Constitution will be saved as prophesied by Joseph Smith. But it will not be saved in Washington. It will be saved by the citizens of this nation who love and cherish freedom. It will be saved by enlightened members of this Church--men and women who will subscribe to and abide by the principles of the Constitution."
I struggle with procrastination and leading out, but I can't ignore that we are clearly being called to preserve America's Constitution. We lovers of liberty need to meet together, physically or otherwise, and plan how we will do this. I urge all of us to heed the prophets of our time, before it is too late.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Ammon and the Power of God
On my mission, I experienced burnout. The mental image that came to me at the time was boiling water: spiritually, I had come to a boil, and I knew that if I was not replenished, I would run out. Another metaphor is a ship at sea: it may go far, but if it is not replenished with life-giving water and supplies, the crew will die and their journey fail.
Contrast what I felt with the experience of Ammon and his brethren. These men came with a strong testimony of God (Mosiah 27:15). They had spent months, perhaps years, teaching their countrymen about God (Mosiah 27:33-37). They had prepared themselves thoroughly for spiritual battle: “they were men of sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently that they might know the word of God. But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God.” (Alma 17:2-3)
Then, comes their time to serve in the field. Ammon’s third day as a servant, robbers attack them and scatter their sheep. All Ammon’s coworkers want to do is bemoan their fate. Here’s Ammon’s response: “Now when Ammon saw this his heart was swollen within him with joy” (Alma 17:29) He’s full of joy, right as he is about to have to push himself to the limit? He’s full of joy, when he’s just been attacked by robbers and the people he needs to teach aren’t motivated even when their lives are in danger? Yes, he is! Why? “for, said he, I will show forth my power unto these my fellow-servants, or the power which is in me, in restoring these flocks unto the king, that I may win the hearts of these my fellow-servants, that I may lead them to believe in my words.” 1. He has complete trust in the power of God in Him. 2. He is completely focused on the mission he has been given, to lead the Lamanites to believe in the word of God. Result? He flatters the servants and they work incredibly hard and save the flocks.
But wait. While they’re still warm from the exercise, the robbers show up again. Ammon’s response? “Encircle the flocks round about that they flee not; and I go and contend with these men who do scatter our flocks.” (v.33) He has totally assumed the role of a leader, and a leader puts his neck on the line for his followers. And the servants do exactly what he says. We’re not told if there’s an opening prayer before the confrontation, but I kind of doubt it. Ammon is in the zone; he is relishing his role. “Ammon stood forth and began to cast stones at them with his sling; yea, with mighty power he did sling stones amongst them; and thus he slew a certain number of them insomuch that they began to be astonished at his power”.
This was the Lamanite justice system in action: the Lamanites knew plundering and murdering were wrong, and Ammon knew they knew. He also was full of and relishing the power of God in Him to protect his fellow-servants and the clueless sheep from the danger. Rather than backing off, the robbers charged him with clubs. “But behold, every man that lifted his club to smite Ammon, he smote off their arms with his sword; for he did withstand their blows by smiting their arms with the edge of his sword, insomuch that they began to be astonished, and began to flee before him” (v. 37)
Ammon apparently didn’t know how to deliver a non-lethal slingstone, but he did specifically target the robber’s leader for death: some conflicts just have to be cut off at the roots, perhaps? With the leader dead, and many of their club arms missing, it’s the robbers who have had enough.
You might think Ammon is exhausted, but far from it. He helps water the flocks, and then remembers (there’s some good in a daily planner!) what all the other servants forget (or are they just giving him a chance to shine?): preparing the horses and chariots for the big trip to the party in Nephi.
While he’s still going full-steam ahead, the servants tell him to come see Lamoni. Here at last, he takes a breather. “Ammon turned himself unto the king, and said unto him: What wilt thou that I should do for thee, O king? And the king answered him not for the space of an hour” (Alma 18:13) After an hour passes, Ammon has had no revelation, so he repeats the question. It is then the Spirit of the Lord comes to his rescue, revealing what the king is thinking of. Hindsight being 20-20, it seems ridiculously easy to us to guess what the king was thinking of, but we need to remember that Ammon’s power does not come from relying on his own abilities, but from his complete trust in God, and his laser focus on his mission.
Ammon knows the king’s thoughts, but he still is interested in getting the king to speak for himself. “Are you marveling because I just killed seven guys and cut off lots of arms defending your flocks?” And then he repeats the magic phrase: “I’m ready to do whatever you want.” Remember that he’s already had a very full day to this point! But the power in him is inexhaustible, so he can say that and it is perfectly true.
The king says, “Well yeah, I kind of want to know who you are and how on earth did you get your magical power? I’ll give you whatever you want if you’ll tell me about your power source.”
Ammon, totally focused on his mission of leading the Lamanites to believe the word of God, at last makes a move: “Wilt thou hearken unto my words, if I tell thee by what power I do these things? And this is the thing that I desire of thee.” (v. 22) The king agrees, and Ammon begins teaching simply, in a question-and-answer format, about who God is, and why His power is in Ammon. Unlike some recent inhabitants of the wild west, the Lamanites were big on long talks. Ammon teaches the king and the servants about the creation of Adam and the scriptural record until Lehi. Then they cover Nephite and Lamanite history to the present, with relevant scriptures. He also teaches them the plan of redemption and all the works of the Lord. The king believes everything, and begins crying to the Lord for mercy: next, he falls to the earth as if he were dead.
Here again, Ammon seems to have decided it was time for a breather. He steps aside while the servants carry the unresponsive king to his wife, and not until two days later does Ammon get his wish: they ask him to take a look at the king and tell them what’s wrong. He prophesies the king will rise (apparently even giving the exact time: see Alma 18:11) and everything happens exactly as foretold. It’s a good thing Ammon is there punctually, because two sentences after Lamoni rises, he and his wife sink down again. Ammon bursts into thanksgiving to God, and he is overpowered too, not by exhaustion (and it’s an important distinction), but by joy (19:14). The power in Ammon is limitless, and it is being poured out upon all the people who will repent and believe on the name of Christ (Alma 19:36).
Years later, Ammon is still full of this joy and power (Alma 26:16; 27:17), and his converts are of the same fiber (Alma 23:6). What does Ammon attribute this joy to? 1. His faith and desires which are in God (Alma 18:35). 2. The infinite power, wisdom, understanding, and mercy of God (Alma 26:35-37).
To that we could certainly add the faith of Mosiah and the promise which he obtained from God (Alma 17:35) and the diligent missionary service and preparation of Ammon (Mosiah 27:32-37; Alma 17:2-3). Perhaps most significant of all is Ammon’s unshakable knowledge that he has been called of God to do what he is doing (Alma 18:34). Alma, his colleague and fellow preacher, also buoyed himself in the rough times by remembering this calling to himself and to his hearers (e.g., Alma 5:44).
In summary, I don’t think we can fully appreciate the intensity and unwavering energy of Ammon without acknowledging that he received strength from God. I also don’t believe we can experience the same degree of spiritual power and God-inspired success without turning to the same sources and receiving the same (or a similar) calling that Ammon received. This matter is critically important to me at this point of time in my life when I am trying to find whether and what God has called me to do, and (of secondary importance) how I should go about it. I will continue seeking for answers. Look out, robbers.
Contrast what I felt with the experience of Ammon and his brethren. These men came with a strong testimony of God (Mosiah 27:15). They had spent months, perhaps years, teaching their countrymen about God (Mosiah 27:33-37). They had prepared themselves thoroughly for spiritual battle: “they were men of sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently that they might know the word of God. But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God.” (Alma 17:2-3)
Then, comes their time to serve in the field. Ammon’s third day as a servant, robbers attack them and scatter their sheep. All Ammon’s coworkers want to do is bemoan their fate. Here’s Ammon’s response: “Now when Ammon saw this his heart was swollen within him with joy” (Alma 17:29) He’s full of joy, right as he is about to have to push himself to the limit? He’s full of joy, when he’s just been attacked by robbers and the people he needs to teach aren’t motivated even when their lives are in danger? Yes, he is! Why? “for, said he, I will show forth my power unto these my fellow-servants, or the power which is in me, in restoring these flocks unto the king, that I may win the hearts of these my fellow-servants, that I may lead them to believe in my words.” 1. He has complete trust in the power of God in Him. 2. He is completely focused on the mission he has been given, to lead the Lamanites to believe in the word of God. Result? He flatters the servants and they work incredibly hard and save the flocks.
But wait. While they’re still warm from the exercise, the robbers show up again. Ammon’s response? “Encircle the flocks round about that they flee not; and I go and contend with these men who do scatter our flocks.” (v.33) He has totally assumed the role of a leader, and a leader puts his neck on the line for his followers. And the servants do exactly what he says. We’re not told if there’s an opening prayer before the confrontation, but I kind of doubt it. Ammon is in the zone; he is relishing his role. “Ammon stood forth and began to cast stones at them with his sling; yea, with mighty power he did sling stones amongst them; and thus he slew a certain number of them insomuch that they began to be astonished at his power”.
This was the Lamanite justice system in action: the Lamanites knew plundering and murdering were wrong, and Ammon knew they knew. He also was full of and relishing the power of God in Him to protect his fellow-servants and the clueless sheep from the danger. Rather than backing off, the robbers charged him with clubs. “But behold, every man that lifted his club to smite Ammon, he smote off their arms with his sword; for he did withstand their blows by smiting their arms with the edge of his sword, insomuch that they began to be astonished, and began to flee before him” (v. 37)
Ammon apparently didn’t know how to deliver a non-lethal slingstone, but he did specifically target the robber’s leader for death: some conflicts just have to be cut off at the roots, perhaps? With the leader dead, and many of their club arms missing, it’s the robbers who have had enough.
You might think Ammon is exhausted, but far from it. He helps water the flocks, and then remembers (there’s some good in a daily planner!) what all the other servants forget (or are they just giving him a chance to shine?): preparing the horses and chariots for the big trip to the party in Nephi.
While he’s still going full-steam ahead, the servants tell him to come see Lamoni. Here at last, he takes a breather. “Ammon turned himself unto the king, and said unto him: What wilt thou that I should do for thee, O king? And the king answered him not for the space of an hour” (Alma 18:13) After an hour passes, Ammon has had no revelation, so he repeats the question. It is then the Spirit of the Lord comes to his rescue, revealing what the king is thinking of. Hindsight being 20-20, it seems ridiculously easy to us to guess what the king was thinking of, but we need to remember that Ammon’s power does not come from relying on his own abilities, but from his complete trust in God, and his laser focus on his mission.
Ammon knows the king’s thoughts, but he still is interested in getting the king to speak for himself. “Are you marveling because I just killed seven guys and cut off lots of arms defending your flocks?” And then he repeats the magic phrase: “I’m ready to do whatever you want.” Remember that he’s already had a very full day to this point! But the power in him is inexhaustible, so he can say that and it is perfectly true.
The king says, “Well yeah, I kind of want to know who you are and how on earth did you get your magical power? I’ll give you whatever you want if you’ll tell me about your power source.”
Ammon, totally focused on his mission of leading the Lamanites to believe the word of God, at last makes a move: “Wilt thou hearken unto my words, if I tell thee by what power I do these things? And this is the thing that I desire of thee.” (v. 22) The king agrees, and Ammon begins teaching simply, in a question-and-answer format, about who God is, and why His power is in Ammon. Unlike some recent inhabitants of the wild west, the Lamanites were big on long talks. Ammon teaches the king and the servants about the creation of Adam and the scriptural record until Lehi. Then they cover Nephite and Lamanite history to the present, with relevant scriptures. He also teaches them the plan of redemption and all the works of the Lord. The king believes everything, and begins crying to the Lord for mercy: next, he falls to the earth as if he were dead.
Here again, Ammon seems to have decided it was time for a breather. He steps aside while the servants carry the unresponsive king to his wife, and not until two days later does Ammon get his wish: they ask him to take a look at the king and tell them what’s wrong. He prophesies the king will rise (apparently even giving the exact time: see Alma 18:11) and everything happens exactly as foretold. It’s a good thing Ammon is there punctually, because two sentences after Lamoni rises, he and his wife sink down again. Ammon bursts into thanksgiving to God, and he is overpowered too, not by exhaustion (and it’s an important distinction), but by joy (19:14). The power in Ammon is limitless, and it is being poured out upon all the people who will repent and believe on the name of Christ (Alma 19:36).
Years later, Ammon is still full of this joy and power (Alma 26:16; 27:17), and his converts are of the same fiber (Alma 23:6). What does Ammon attribute this joy to? 1. His faith and desires which are in God (Alma 18:35). 2. The infinite power, wisdom, understanding, and mercy of God (Alma 26:35-37).
To that we could certainly add the faith of Mosiah and the promise which he obtained from God (Alma 17:35) and the diligent missionary service and preparation of Ammon (Mosiah 27:32-37; Alma 17:2-3). Perhaps most significant of all is Ammon’s unshakable knowledge that he has been called of God to do what he is doing (Alma 18:34). Alma, his colleague and fellow preacher, also buoyed himself in the rough times by remembering this calling to himself and to his hearers (e.g., Alma 5:44).
In summary, I don’t think we can fully appreciate the intensity and unwavering energy of Ammon without acknowledging that he received strength from God. I also don’t believe we can experience the same degree of spiritual power and God-inspired success without turning to the same sources and receiving the same (or a similar) calling that Ammon received. This matter is critically important to me at this point of time in my life when I am trying to find whether and what God has called me to do, and (of secondary importance) how I should go about it. I will continue seeking for answers. Look out, robbers.
Friday, September 9, 2011
The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible As Literally As Possible by A.J. JacobsMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
If you are interested in how the Bible strikes the secular and politically correct (and ridiculously funny), this may be just the thing. I found A. J. Jacobs’ book very intellectual without being stuffy, offering numerous little insights and funny moments, and I do mean funny in both traditional senses. If you want a page turner and many a good laugh, read on.
I did not glean many life-changing revelations from the pages, but I was entertained, and I believe that was Jacobs’ principal goal in writing. The words of Paul in 1 Cor. 2 come readily to mind (e.g., 1 Cor. 2:14). Jacobs himself admits that he is being a little superficial, and he is unsure how much or even whether he can change to the frame of humility so necessary to receive revelation from God. We do not fully come to know God by trying him out selectively and for limited amounts of time, but by humbly receiving and internalizing revelation from him (1 Cor. 2:11; Jacob 4:8).
Of course, God is much kinder than any of us deserves. It is kind of heart-warming how even Jacobs’ limited (and sometimes downright wacky) efforts at finding God bear fruit. Perhaps most touching was how he acquired a deep gratitude for his many blessings. That alone is one of the best gifts we can receive: to understand true gratitude.
In sum, I recommend it heartily, with a grain of salt.
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Saturday, August 20, 2011
How the South Could Have Won the Civil War: the Fatal Errors That Led to Confederate Defeat by Bevin AlexanderMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Excellent book; highly recommended. The author has given a very convincing overview that draws you into the period and the choices of generals, presidents, and other leaders that led to the South's eventual defeat. This reshaped my view of Robert E. Lee: he was a great field commander (far superior to most of his Northern counterparts) but with an antiquated and deeply flawed notion of how to win an 1860's war. Grant was not much better, but he had many more men to follow him. By contrast, Stonewall Jackson (and to some extent, the Union general Sherman) appreciated the importance of manuevers, foremost his defend, then flank attack, which won battles but did not convert Lee.
After the war, Lee was one of the greatest influencers for peace with the North, in example and precept. He may have been, in the long run, the greatest single contributor to the solidarity of the United States today.
The book does dig into technical details of battles, and the maps, while a big help, could have been well complimented with some photos. Really, someone needs to do an interactive 3d map where you can place armies (and equipment) of variable size, but I won't hold that against Mr. Alexander.
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Sunday, June 12, 2011
A BYU friend recently recommended Goodreads to me. I visited the website, liked what they were doing, and promptly joined. Here's my first book review. I've been very interested in the Revolutionary War period for some time and have read a number of books on the subject and key figures from the period (more recently, 1776, Washington's General, and Benjamin Franklin: An American Life). I have a rather pathetic start at a historical novel during the period, and was enthused by the detail-oriented picture of soldiers on the battlefields provided in my latest foray: Patriot Battles, by Michael Stephenson. Here's my review:
Mr. Stephenson has done a great job condensing large amounts of information into short, crisp, logically structured data on the Revolutionary War. If you enjoy the period and want to get a feel for the realities of this war period (and especially the soldiers who fought the war), this book deserves serious consideration.
Given its brevity, the book naturally has omitted some areas of the war, viz. the stories of war prisoners, many of the naval battles and minor actions, detailed biographical information, etc., but it is no less commendable for its excellent detail in describing the soldiers who fought the wars, including an interesting sidelight on Negro soldiers serving on both sides; the recruiting process; the weapons used; etc., and a substantial account of the major engagements of the war from start to finish.
I will likely be coming back to this book when I write a historical novel on the period.
Mr. Stephenson has done a great job condensing large amounts of information into short, crisp, logically structured data on the Revolutionary War. If you enjoy the period and want to get a feel for the realities of this war period (and especially the soldiers who fought the war), this book deserves serious consideration.
Given its brevity, the book naturally has omitted some areas of the war, viz. the stories of war prisoners, many of the naval battles and minor actions, detailed biographical information, etc., but it is no less commendable for its excellent detail in describing the soldiers who fought the wars, including an interesting sidelight on Negro soldiers serving on both sides; the recruiting process; the weapons used; etc., and a substantial account of the major engagements of the war from start to finish.
I will likely be coming back to this book when I write a historical novel on the period.
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