Perfectly Imperfect...and becoming more Perfect!

There is a lesson in the story of the Brother of Jared that we often forget. We are usually impressed with the Lord's willingness to accept the Brother of Jared's idea (and work) to get the stones ready. We accept that that worked for Jared. The Lord asked Jared specifically in Ether 2:25 (after giving him numerous other instructions and answers), "Therefore what will ye that I should prepare for you that ye may have light when ye are swallowed up in the depths of the sea?" He was done giving instructions and saw that it was time for the Brother of Jared to put in some work. 

He does the same for all of us. He will lead, guide, and walk beside, but at some point He needs us to start using our agency to solve problems and develop our confidence in our abilities. It often doesn't matter what the solutions are that we choose for our answers - if it is generally in line with His commandments and guiding principles - for the most part I believe He says in essence, "Awesome idea! I think I can help make that work!" 

God and Christ are not there to direct every single decision. They are there to direct our paths of course, but they leave many things along that path to us to figure out. We are the ones that need to grow, and to do that, we need to make decisions, commit, and "press forward with a steadfastness in Christ" (2 Nephi 31:20) knowing that they will help us work things out. 

Cedar City Utah Temple - churchofjesuschrist.org

I was thinking about the Temple yesterday. About the ceremony, and many things involved that way. I definitely believe it was and is inspired of God. Perhaps because I am a teacher, and am always encouraging students to continue improving, I can appreciate the revisions that have happened over the years to preserve the purpose - while sanctifying, streamlining, and simplifying the actual processes. I know full well that a paper can be revised to be more concise and purposeful. That's one beautiful thing about the Atonement that I love and am grateful for. If I don't get it right at first, when I recognize that I can do better - I am given that opportunity! 

So what does that say about our Prophet Joseph who, with revelation from the Lord, was asked to develop the ceremonies contained within our beautiful buildings? Let's compare this to the Brother of Jared: A command was given to accomplish something, and at some point the Lord blessed the work and effort of his servant who had been asked to accomplish the task. That's where the authority to work in the Lord's name comes in. People can criticize as much as they want, but if the Lord asked Joseph - as His servant and Prophet - to accomplish a task, then the Lord is the one who can decide to approve it or not. If the Lord prompts other prophets down the line to adjust or refine and they do their best to improve it, and He blesses their work - then it works! I know from my own personal experiences - that the Temple does work. The Lord DID bless Joseph's work at that time with the Temple, and I believe He is continuing to bless the continuing refinements. I am grateful for the absolute peace and comfort that comes from those buildings. It's not because they are necessarily "mystical" or anything like that, but I do believe it is because God has "blessed and sanctified" the work of His servants who are sincerely giving their all to fulfill His desire "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39). Therefore because the Lord has sanctified His Temples, his Spirit resides there in abundance. When we are in tune and have desires to receive those blessings - we "tune" ourselves in, and the whole experience and process is uplifting and sanctifying to us.

We often get caught up in traditions and absolutes! We say that, "If God is in control...or if His servants were REALLY inspired, they would have gotten it 100% perfectly right the first time." In my opinion that line of thinking destroys the whole Plan of Salvation and the agency that we profess to believe in! If they and we are not allowed to do something "imperfectly" then what is the point? How do we grow if God is holding our hand the entire time? This could apply to any number of situations throughout Church History. There are many times that mistakes were made. Some people may accuse me of not being harsh enough on those mistakes, but the principle the Savior taught - where he reminds us that "blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy" (Matthew 5:7) - echoes in my mind. I want and need mercy. I will give people the benefit of the doubt. It is not my place to judge unrighteously, but to do my own personal best to follow the Savior with my best efforts. It is not my place to condemn. Judgment lies with God in the end. If others have made mistakes along the way, that is between them and God - as my mistakes are between me and God. 

We absolutely need the Lord's guidance and direction to be successful and happy in this life, but we do need to be a little more willing to decide things for ourselves - and allow others the opportunity to do the same. Even - and especially - inspired leaders. Their weight and responsibilities are heavy. It is easy to be a back seat driver or critic. We often think we can do better, or that, if we don't agree with how something works out, they must be wrong. That's not at all the case.

Christ Ministering to the Nephites

So why does the Lord allow somethings to be imperfectly perfect and then refined over time? I don't know all the reasons, but I know that the Lord isn't implementing this plan just for His own sake. He's already "arrived" so to speak. It's for us. To work, to learn, to grow, and develop farther along the path to becoming like Him. The Atonement of Jesus Christ helps us along the way. It allows room for growth and imperfection as we are becoming more perfect...very slowly in my case! Mercy isn't just something that needs to be applied by God and Christ though. It is a principle that WE need to obtain and live. For all mankind, in all of their imperfections. The Lord, Jesus Christ, makes up the difference. That's why we celebrate and revere Him. His power to save and fix and correct and heal is real. He can make imperfect things perfect in the end. 

A While Later...

Well obviously it's been a while since I have last written! Over a year. That's just plain sad. Or...maybe life's been crazy. Perhaps I just didn't make it a priority. So it goes. 

The last few months have been pretty crazy here on this planet. In March, school was shut down due to precautions associated with the Covid-19 virus. I was sitting in school that day saying to my students that there was "no way they'll shut us down." Something to that effect. They shut us down later that afternoon. What has followed has been one of the most frustrating and strange times of my life. I realize that it pales in comparison to the war experiences other generations have lived through, but for us - my family - it has been a tough, memorable, and ultimately "centering" experience. 

The time spent at home under quarantine was good. I was able to teach, plan, and still associate with my students. Virtual connection wasn't as great as face to face, but at least we still had something. I am very grateful for that. 

After school ended - which was also strange, we enjoyed a fairly busy summer. Jenna had several camps. It was nice to see her be able to get back into her dance studio and finish up the year with a month of classes and recitals. All of it was toned down, but it was still great.

 She also was in a place where she had to find a new studio site. The City had decided to use the gymnastics room for another purpose, and so she was put into a pretty difficult spot. Through some divine intervention she was led to talk to a really great lady in our community who just happened to have a building that had just been cleared out. So...being Jenna, she went for it. We have spend much of the end of our summer getting the new place ready.

 Wes and Kellie came down with their family for several days and helped us so much. They are always so good to be helpful with Jenna's big projects. 

After that was finished - I had a mental breakdown for few days. I was exhausted - and needed to be reminded to slow down. So after some days of panic and talking with some people, I got into a better spot. Not too soon either because school was getting to the starting point again. 

And here we are. School starts tomorrow. Masks and everything. I'm excited to see students in person - not excited for masks, but we'll play along until everything can get squared away and we can have normalcy again. 

Through these last few months, as crazy as they have been, we have been blessed. God has been with us. We have enjoyed having Church meetings at home. Being able to administer the Sacrament to my family has been a blessing for me. It has also brought me an appreciation for what the Gospel actually means to me and my family. I am so grateful for divine guidance and comfort. Personal revelation has been crucial as well as Priesthood blessings to give direction, comfort, and hope. We live in a crazy time, but we are not left to wander aimlessly. I am grateful. 

...I sure hope things get to a little more normal place though!