(I’m not sure if anyone even reads this. I write mainly for myself anyway, but I usually spend a lot of time writing and re-writing until I feel like I have expressed my ideas clearly and articulately. I am choosing to not spend the time to do this today but instead to publish this in a fairly rough stage…)
Today, being a fifth Sunday, our third hour of church was combined with men and women, and even the older youth were invited. The stake president taught the lesson, and since I had been to these presentations before about the options available for unwed women that become pregnant, I didn’t particularly expect this presentation to be much different. Today’s meeting was wonderful, and I hope to share some of what most impressed me.
The focus of the lesson was on doctrine- the reason for doing what we do. The principles are outlined in the June 2002 letter from the First Presidency to leaders of the Church. The obective is to allow each person the greatest possibility for making and keeping covenants. “Children sealed to parents have claim upon the blessings of the gospel beyond what others are entitled to receive.”
1) parents and leaders teach members to live chaste and virtuous lives
2) unwed parents should first consider marriage
3) when a successful marriage is unlikely, the unwed parents should seriously consider placing the child for adoption through LDS Family Services
At the end of the class, a woman in our ward asked if she could share her testimony. She and her husband are unable to have children, and a year ago they adopted the beautiful little girl that they cherish so much, and they have been sealed together. I could see how significant the sealing is to this dear sister.
A few things come to mind after thinking about this. First, how easy it is to take for granted the blessings of the gospel, such as sealings. It may be, that like a child that soons tires of his Christmas gifts, that we too may fail to fully appreciate our blessings. If we don’t cherish the blessing, I wonder how well we keep the covenants? After all, I believe that keeping our covenants requires that we specifically think about what it is that we have covenanted to do, and then doing those things.
Second, as I thought about adoption, when someone is unable to have children, I can imagine how much they would truly treasure the child that they are able to adopt. I need to cherish my children more.
Third, I was reminded that in making covenants with Jesus Christ, we become his adopted children. He paid the ransom for us by paying the price for our sins. In making and keeping our gospel covenants, we become joint heirs to all the Father has. I am sure that we cannot fathom the love of our Father and the blessings He has for us if we will but keep our covenants.
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May 31, 2009 at 8:08 pm
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June 1, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Aileen
Hi Jim,
I’m still reading. I’ve had to put my own blog on hiatus as my husband’s job search continues (5 months now), but I enjoy keeping up with other blogs when I have the chance.
I appreciated your post, but wanted to play devil’s advocate a bit. It’s the lawyer in me.
You write, “I am sure that we cannot fathom the love of our Father and the blessings He has for us if we will but keep our covenants.” Here is my dilemma with that statement. Is the Father’s love and blessings contingent on keeping the covenants? As a parent, I cannot fathom making my love for my children dependent on anything. As I tell them over and over, I love them without question — they can scream at me, call me names, get in trouble, tell me they hate me, and through all that, though I may be sad, I will still love them no matter what.
And I don’t love one child more than another b/c he or she is better behaved or does better in school or follows my rules better. That’s just not how my parental love works.
Now, I admit, I’m not the Heavenly Father, and I can’t even presume truly to know how He thinks. But I have a hard time with that individual statement above. Perhaps you can let me know your thoughts more.
I understand the necessity of keeping covenants (in any religion), however, do you believe that there is more love or more blessings if you do so? Does God/Heavenly Father play favorites?
PS. I’m not Mormon, so if there is something particular to the LDS faith, please explain.
Thanks much.
Aileen
June 1, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Jim
Hi Aileen,
Thanks for your comment. You raise an excellent question. Although I cannot claim to be the ultimate authority, I will attempt to tell you my thoughts about Heavenly Father’s love for His children.
I think you put it perfectly in describing your own love for your children. There is nothing that they can do that would keep you from loving them. This is the perfect love that Heavenly Father has for all of His children.
Because you love your children, you probably have rules or guidelines for them- maybe you expect them to do certain chores, to be kind to each other, to be ready for bed by a certain time, etc. These rules are for their own good and have their own intrinsic rewards attached to them. Because you care for them, you want what’s best for them, and either directly or indirectly you probably try to help them learn that their choices always have consequences.
I believe Heavenly Father is like this too. He loves us more than we usually understand. He wants to bless all of us, so he gives us commandments. By keeping commandments, He is then able to give us blessings. He still loves us even when we are disobedient, but because He is just, he cannot give blessings to us for disobedience.
But how can He be just if blessings are granted based on obedience but the majority of His children are not even aware of His commandments? This, to me, is one of the most beautiful aspects of Heavenly Father’s perfect plan for us- whether in this life or the next, from those that lived during the dark ages to the those that live in the most remote and primitive parts of the world, all will have an opportunity to understand and to follow his plan and to receive the same blessings that He wants to give all of us.
There are things that we don’t currently understand, such as why some seem to be born in more favorable circumstances than others. If you are interested, I can try to comment on this too- just let me know.
Did I address your question? Do you have any further questions? When I first started this blog, this was my hope- that I could share my thoughts and ideas and even questions and learn from other’s participation. I had pretty much given up on this blog, so I appreciate your comment and will try to continue additional posts.
I hope your husband is able to find employment soon!
June 2, 2009 at 8:04 pm
Aileen
Thanks for your reply Jim. I think what you’ve written makes complete sense. And as I gave it more thought, I can think of ways that the same applies amongst my own children. Certainly, I will always love them no matter what, but “rule followers” (if you want to put it that way) enjoy more freedoms or “blessings” than those who choose not to follow the rules.
Thanks for your insights.