Shafts in the Whirlwind

Oh my, what a week. It has been one of the happiest I think I’ve ever known. There are numerous reasons why, none of which I can adequately explain, so I shall not attempt it. Suffice it to say, I’m finally back on the right path again, not just clumsily moseying along beside it. Just to give you an idea of the thoughts rumbling through my head, I’ll share the motivation behind them. Last Sunday, in lieu of the whole Proposition 8 controversy, Shay & I decided to read To the One a talk given by Elder Packer back in the 70’s. I’d discovered this talk as a missionary, surreptitiously (ok, I had permission) searching through the Bishop’s supply of pamphlets. Sister Lolohea (my comp at the time) & I decided to study it one day for companionship study (which I affectionately referred to as “COMPY!!”) & were faced that very day with a recent convert who wanted to know more on the Church’s stance on the subject. Inspired much? I think so! It completely changed my perspective. This week though as I read it, one thought particularly stood out in my mind as it is so applicable to my life.

“When you try to eliminate a bad habit, if the spot where it used to be is left open it will sneak back & crawl again into that empty space. It grew there; it will struggle to stay there. When you discard it, fill up the spot where it was. Replace it with something good. Replace it with unselfish thoughts, with unselfish acts. Then, if an evil habit or addiction tries to return, it will have to fight for attention. Sometimes it may win. Bad thoughts often have to be evicted 100 times, or a 1,000. But if they have to be evicted 10,000 times, never surrender to them. You are in charge of you.”

This inspired in me quite a change of heart as to the way I approached my personal struggles. It is true. I know that it is because this week as I’ve gone through the purging process, quite literally with my collection of entertainment, I haven’t regretted one thing I’ve discarded. I’ve filled my time with a multitude of positive activities, & as I said before, I have been happier than I think I’ve ever been (at least, nothing can top it).

“The weakest soul, knowing its own weakness, and believing this truth - that strength can only be developed by effort & practice, will, thus believing, at once begin to exert itself, and adding effort to effort, patience to patience, & strength to strength, will never cease to develop, and will at last grow divinely strong. As the physically weak man can make himself strong by careful & patient training, so the man of weak thoughts can make them strong by exercising himself in right thinking.”
-James Allen, As a Man Thinketh

What a novel idea! Man not naturally thinking right? Man desiring things that should not be indulged in? Who’d have thought? Apparently I haven’t thought about it enough. Hello?? Maybe not everything that makes you laugh is truly funny. Maybe you shouldn’t eat a medium sized shake at 10 pm. Maybe school work is more important than a movie. It all just seemed to click as I skimmed through this magnificent book on Thursday evening. I realize suppression is not exactly the “hip” thing to do these days, but if we are to become more like Christ we must temper the natural man. How’s that for fighting against “the world?”

“The nature of the conflict [between good and evil]…is such that there can be no neutrals.”
-LDS Bible Dictionary, see “War in Heaven”

I’ve chosen my side. Enough said.

As I talked to my Papa on Tuesday about Prop 8, he said in his distinct Southern accent, "Well, I hear they're arresting people for preaching against homosexuality, but I taught against it on Sunday & no one's come to get me yet." I love my Papa, his boldness & unwavering faith.

Don't get me wrong, I am in no way saying that those who engage in same sex relations are evil. Far from it. Hate the sin, love the sinner. That is my line of thinking & in that I will not be swayed, for it ever has been & ever will be a sin in the eyes of the Lord. I would say the same thing of pornography or alcoholism or any other practice that should not be indulged in.

Anyway, whatever the future holds, I am glad to know exactly where I stand.