What I heard

If you are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, does any of the following sound familiar?

-Fasting reminds my physical self of who is really in charge (the spirit), and that the spirit man needs to be fed.

-The process of salvation involves three steps: conviction, trust, and obedience.

-Worship welcomes God, faith moves him.

-People may put on a religious appearance, but if they are still drinking, smoking, and cussing, they have not allowed Christ to be the Lord of their lives, to transform them to be more like him.

-The Old Testament talks about tithing, but the New Testament talks about the need to give everything, time and talents in addition to money, to Christ. He wants us to give everything to him.

-The pastor that preached these things said that he does not drink because he says that he follows wisdom.

     I know that there are significant differences between Protestant faiths and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I say Protestant faiths, but I should say creeds. The pastor who preaches the above does not profess to be a member of any one church, only that he aligns with Christianity. Joseph Smith was not a fan of the creeds of men because they can place a limit on our progression to truth. I love my faith because it embraces all truth, no matter where it is found. Christ is the only way, and he works in the lives of all his Father's children.
     Members of any group, especially religion, can tend to be clannish, to stick to their own and not reach out to people of different faiths. Let this not be us. Our church leaders have counseled us to reach out to others regardless of faith. This is the example that Christ set for us. Though he was not called to minister directly to the gentiles, he healed the daughter of a Canaanite woman. He took time to visit with the woman at the well who was a Samaritan, a group despised of the Jews. Let us have a mind to reach out rather than exclude. This is the divine path God would have us travel.

You never know... & Watercolor class

More than a week ago, I was at the gym (most FOBs have them). While working out, I asked a person if I could work out on the mat next to him. There wasn't much space available, and he said something that I took offense to. My reply was guarded, and did not represent the disdain I felt inside for what he said. I knew that I was making a big deal out of what he said, that he probably did not mean to offend me. Yet, I let it stew inside of me. In the days that followed I observed him; he just seemed like he had a sour disposition. I didn't say anything rude to him at the gym, but inside I was still offended. Then came church on Friday, the LDS Sacrament Meeting. Who do you think showed up to observe the meeting? This could not have been more unexpected. I felt very convicted for what I had wrongfully felt inside. Why did I allow myself to take things so seriously and get offended? Yet, still I was glad that I had not said anything I would regret. You never know who will show up at your worship service, so we should treat everyone as if they are coming. King Benjamin said, "are we not all beggars?" This also implies, "are we not all brothers?" As brothers, (and sisters), how are we to treat each other? I have much to learn in this area and am grateful for God's patience in allowing me another day to learn to love. As I stated in my last post, it is what binds society together, and ultimately to God. Think about the city of Enoch: "And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness, and there was no poor among them." They likely were not taking offense at little things either. Of all people, I'm a chaplain! But I am hopelessly human, and like everyone else, completely dependent on the strength and mercy of God to transform my heart from impenetrable stone to a submissive one in which can be written the will of God. On a different note: It finally hit me last night midway through the weekly watercolor painting class I hold for soldiers. I realized: I thought I was doing some valuable service for military personnel by providing them with an opportunity to learn to paint and have some time to relax. The real reason, (prior to last night held only in my subconscious mind), is that the painting class was for me. Having people come is just a justification for me to slip into the creative sphere of visual art for a couple hours once a week. Leaving the familiar realm of teaching art to begin my schooling as a chaplain was very traumatic at first. As I sat in a classroom lit by cold fluorescent lights, full of non-art desks and chairs, beginning the long education process that spanned 2006-2010, I felt like a fish out of water. I felt exactly the opposite of how I felt when I taught my first drawing class when I declared: I feel like a fish in the ocean. My whole being was revolting--how could this be happening? I am still in the process of making the transition from artist to chaplain. In reality, it is not an either/or situation. I need to own up to my responsibility to continue to express my creative ideas no matter where my income is generated. I am still an artist, and if I get lazy and do not use the talents God has given me, I will miss the blessings connected with the exercise of them. I need to find the right balance: my employer comes first (to provide for my family by the grace of God), but part of my responsibility to my employer is utilizing the gifts I have been given. I played my violin with the worship/praise team tonight during the Protestant service. I enjoyed being able to contribute and use the gift of music passed down from my grandfather through my mother. The bottom line is this: I don't need to wait for a "reason" (like students to teach or a praise team inviting me to play) to magnify the gifts I have been given. I need to be "anxiously engaged" in using them to reach out to others, and ultimately glorify God. Truly, he is the source of all creativity.

The Foundation of Society

De-evolution in Ether 14-15 and Moroni 9 Where is our society, fast becoming a global society, headed? What have we achieved with our technology, increases in efficiency, availability of information, and world-shrinking transportation? Have we also increased in our humanity to each other, in our care of the poor and the down-trodden, and eased the burdens of those that suffer? Does love abound in our society? “Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days” (Ecclesiastes 11:1). We reap what we sow. “And again he saith: If my people shall sow filthiness they shall reap the east wind, which bringeth immediate destruction” (Mosiah 7:31). King Limhi counseled his people that they had been smitten by the Lamanites and were in bondage to them because they had “fallen into transgression” and killed a prophet of God, Abinadi. Three times Limhi and his people had gone against the Lamanites in battle and were defeated each time. Many of their kindred and friends lay dead as a consequence. Those who seek death receive death. War is and always has been a terrible thing. It is designed to inflict death upon an enemy. Throughout the Book of Mormon, and particularly in the Book of Ether, wicked men used secret combinations authored by Satan to depose kings and usurp power. They undertook wars to accomplish their unrighteous purposes. Power was the ultimate goal, and the wicked would spare no one to obtain it. In Ether 14-15, the desire for power is supplanted by the desire for death. Coriantumr offered to give up the kingdom to Shiz, to prevent the annihilation of the Jaredite race, but this was not enough anymore. Above all, Shiz was determined to slay Coriantumr, to avenge the death of his brother, even though this goal conflicted with the prophecy of Ether (Ether 13:21). All people, men, women, and children were enlisted in this work of death. The result was the genocide of the entire Jaredite nation, with Coriantumr surviving just long enough to relate the sad tale of destruction to the immigrant people of Zarahemla, the Mulekites (Omni 1:21). Anger is a common denominator between the accounts of the ending of the Jaredite and Nephite civilizations. Satan, the author of anger, had full power over both peoples because they yielded their hearts to anger. The Jaredites “were given up to the hardness of their hearts, and the blindness of their minds that they might be destroyed” (Ether 15:19). They were “drunken with anger” (Ether 15:22). Concerning the latest stage of the Nephite civilization, Mormon writes to his son Moroni: “Satan stirreth them up continually to anger one with another” (Moroni 9:3). When Mormon delivered the word of God to them, they “tremble[d] and anger[ed] against [him]” (Moroni 9:4). Mormon continues: “For so exceedingly do they anger that it seemeth me that they have no fear of death; and they have lost their love one towards another; and they thirst after blood and revenge continually” (Moroni 9:5). The carnal instincts of the people had such free reign that they sought death continually. Mormon lamented their loss of civilization (Moroni 9:11). “O the depravity of my people! They are without order and without mercy” (Moroni 9:18). Mormon, the keeper of the Nephite and Jaredite records, had a sense of history that few others had. He was witness to the repetition of history. He stated: “And if they [the Nephites] perish it will be like unto the Jaredites, because of the willfulness of their hearts, seeking for blood and revenge” (Moroni 9:23). Human society cannot withstand the widespread loss of love, in favor of the desire for death. A murderous disposition is the opposite of civilization, and ultimately spells the end of civilization. The author of this disposition is Satan. He detests order, beauty, and love. Ultimately, Satan desires that all should be denied the blessings and freedom of the atonement of Christ. Satan would have all humanity “choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself” (2Nephi 2:27). Those who seek the death of others are working out of harmony with God’s plan. They are seeking to cut short the preparatory period of mankind. Alma testified that “there was a space granted unto man in which he might repent; therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God; a time to prepare for that endless state which has been spoken of by us, which is after the resurrection of the dead (Alma 12:24). Satan desires the bondage of all; he wants to stunt the eternal progression of all God’s children. He seeks to bring spiritual death among us, to separate us from God eternally. Jesus warned that in the latter days, “because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matthew 24:12). Paul gave a similar warning: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves…” (2 Timothy 3:1-2). When we do not love we separate ourselves not only from others, but ultimately from God. Yet, if we will obey Christ’s injunction to love others, we will not fall pray to the anger and hatred that lead to eternal bondage and separation from God. John, called the Beloved, enjoined the members of the church in his day: “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love” (1John 4:7-8). Love ultimately unites, while anger divides. If we are to be a part of God’s society, we must love his children. Our destiny is to become the sons and daughters of God through love. “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God” (1John 3:1). “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God” (1John 4:7). To love God is to love our neighbor. “He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes” (1 John 2:10-11). “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments” (1John 5:2). Ultimately, civilization progresses only with love. If civilization is the uniting of people in a harmonious and orderly manner, it can only exist if love abounds. No other force but love, which ultimately comes from God, can unite people. In God we see the ultimate unity, the love between the Father and the Son that results in a perfect union of deity. They desire us to share in this unity. If civilization has a goal, it should be to seek the unity that exists between the Father and the Son. This is perfect love, love which reaches out to all of humanity. We find the ultimate expression of this love in the atonement of Christ. “For God so love the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoso believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Christ loved his Father so much that he was willing to be obedient even unto death. This act of love reaches out to all humanity, uniting us with God if we will submit to the will of the Father, as Christ did. We submit by offering a broken heart and a contrite spirit, as a sacrifice to God. We give up our own will, in the spirit of how Christ gave up his, to take upon ourselves the name of Christ, and be reconciled to God through his eternal gift of life. To choose submission is to choose life, freedom, joy, and eternal happiness with God and those we love. To choose rebellion is to choose captivity, death, and eternal separation from God and those we love. Love is by nature unselfish, and therefore the only force that can hold civilization together. In contrast, selfishness divides, dissolves, and disintegrates civilization. True civilization is in oneness with God; all other civilizations are temporary. Joseph Smith declared in the Doctrine and Covenants 130:2, “And that same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory, which glory we do not now enjoy.” A truly evolved society is one in which love abounds. Because “God is love,” our civilization must be founded on love, meaning Him; otherwise, it will ultimately decay and crumble, and go the way of all others (1 John 4:8).

sacrament meeting first

It has been over 9 months since this mobilization started. Today was the first time I have had sacrament meeting by myself. In the back of my mind, I worried just a bit about this. One of our members is experiencing visa problems, so he has not been able to make it back from his vacation. Two others were transferred to different camps, leaving me as the only LDS member (to my knowledge) on the camp. Previously, more than once, it looked like nobody would be there as I was setting up for a sacrament meeting. Then, at the last minute, someone would come through the chapel door.

Today, nobody came. A coalition soldier was in the chapel making tea and asked if I wanted some :) Then he started playing on the keyboard, so I asked him if he was going to play for my service. "What time is your service?" he asked. "1500," I said. I looked at my watch; it was a few minutes past 1500. He then gathered into the office with the Canadian Padre and the Chaplain Assistant while I finished setting up. I plugged my computer into the sound system and began the service by singing, "Press Forward Saints." As soon as I began singing, I did not feel alone. The warmth of the spirit testified to me that although my voice was the only one I heard, I was not alone. I conducted the district business (I am on the district council) and raised my hand in a vote of thanks, and again for a sustaining vote of two chaplains I knew who had just been called to the district council. It felt like a normal meeting. After the sacrament hymn, "There is a Green Hill Far Away," I blessed and passed the sacrament, and enjoyed the reverent quiet while doing so.
The message consisted of me standing at the podium, quietly reading over the talk that I was still preparing for Sunday night's Protestant gospel service. The text was Matthew 6:19-34. The theme of the message was: our uncertainty is God's opportunity. God is asking us to trust him completely. He who formed us is certainly able to sustain us. When we come to know Him more fully, we will have an increased capacity to trust him completely. Our moments of uncertainty and difficulty are opportunities for God to reveal to us who he really is, how willing and able he is to provide for us, and how much he truly cares for us. Moses, Gideon, and David are all examples of how reliance on God won the day. Think of the handcart pioneers who suffered brutally while crossing the frozen plains. One of these hearty pioneers noted that, "we came to know Him [God] in our extremities."

When we have come to the place where we know we have done all and can go no further, God is there to clear the way for us to pass, just as he did for Moses at the Red Sea, with the armies of Pharaoh bearing down upon his people, Israel. We might have our armies reduced to a handful of men, like Gideon, but if we stay true to our faith, we will recognize God's hand leading us to victory. Then we will know the victory is the Lord's completely, and not our own. David chose to come in the name of God, instead of wearing Saul's armor, when he confronted Goliath. His trust and faith bore fruit as he slew the giant that all Israel feared.

When God asks us to trust Him in difficult circumstances, it is not so much to test us, as it is to reveal Himself to us. These experiences cause our faith to grow and our testimony to be a firm foundation, built upon the rock of Christ.
Jesus is our ultimate example of trusting God. When the hour was dark as he hung on that cruel cross, his trust in his Father did not waiver. With his last breath he declared, "Father, into thy hands I commend my Spirit" (Luke 23:46). May we trust God, and so follow the Spirit, especially in our dark hour. "For we walk by faith, not by sight." God will give us the courage to do so, I testify, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Christmas at Camp Alamo

Today we had our Christmas General Protestant service. To accommodate an increased number of people wanting to attend on Christmas, we held the service in the overflow tent next to the dining facility. It was heated, so we didn't have to worry about being cold (except for the fact that we turned the heater off because it was so warm right before the meeting!) We sang 6 carols interspersed with passages from Luke 2. After this we had our a group prayer where we prayed for specific prayer requests. Then I gave a brief message. It was along the lines of what is written below. I could feel the support of God's Spirit, helping me to remember the message without looking at the text I had printed out, and guiding and ordering my thoughts. Yes, I miss my family; I wish I could be with them. Yet, today, all I could think about was how much I have to be grateful for. We have it pretty good here, we are well fed, have hot showers, warm food, and comfortable quarters. At our Christmas dinner, the base support group commander, who is Bhuddist, offered a blessing on the food, then asked me to finish the blessing. I was touched that he remembered the spiritual aspect of this holiday. This, for me, was quite an act of solidarity, bringing together people of different faiths, to remember what is at the heart of the Christmas season. Please pray for the soldiers that are out doing missions all over Afghanistan. Thank you for your friendship and support; it truly makes a difference! Merry Christmas!

Message:
How many of us have felt overwhelmed at the responsibility of raising our first child? Not much can prepare a person to rear a child, yet God called and prepared Mary and Joseph to raise Jesus. Joseph was compassionate. Mary was obedient. This was indeed a holy family, prepared to welcome in the Savior of the world.
Joseph had every right to divorce Mary. She was with child, before their upcoming marriage. He could have had her publicly humiliated, even stoned. Instead, he made up his mind to divorce her privately, because he was a “just man” (v. 19). He did not know what had happened, but he could not marry someone who could not keep the simple vows associated with betrothal. This, of course was before he had knowledge of the divinity of the child in Mary’s womb. Did she attempt to tell her future husband? Was there not much of an opportunity to do so? It is likely that Joseph was a patient man; it seems he did not react emotionally or violently.
Did Joseph feel betrayed? What disappointment did he feel at having learned that Mary was with child and the baby was not his? What about all his hopes and aspirations for life with his new bride? They were at this point all dashed to pieces. According to the law, and he must obey the law, he could not go through with this marriage. The law was broken, and there were consequences that must come. But what about his feelings for Mary, his beloved bride to be? What an emotional time for Joseph; surely he was torn inside as to the outcome of these events.
Joseph’s situation was difficult, but Mary would be the object of scorn and derision when her pregnancy was made known to the community and beyond. She was the one to bear this heavy burden. Once Mary’s good name was lost in the community it could not be regained. This trial was magnified by the communal society in which they lived. Families stayed together; they did not just have the luxury of moving to some distant relatives to get a fresh start. Why had she been asked to pass through this trial? Who would believe her that she was visited by an angel? Who would believe her that the babe now in her womb would be the promised Messiah, who would rule Israel from the throne of David? How did Mary cope with the doubts that must have arisen in her heart? Did the angel really appear to her and call her to this most holy service?
The same angel that visited Mary mercifully visited Joseph to calm his fears and anxieties. What a relief this must have been! He still had to act in faith, to take Mary as his wife when it appeared to all around them that she had defaulted on her vow. Joseph acted with compassion, then faith.
Mary’s response to the angel’s message was this: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38). This echoed Jesus’ response in the Garden of Gethsemane: “Nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done.” Would that we had this submissive attitude! To align our wills with the word of God! Jesus’ will was so aligned to his Father’s that John records: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1, KJV).
This was a holy family indeed, chosen and set apart to nurture the Son of God. This Christmas season, we are acutely aware of how much family is a part of this holiday. It is a blessing to be apart from our families to feel this realization vividly, that we appreciate our family the entire year, and not just at Christmas. I pray that each of us will lead our families in truth and righteousness, in Christ, that God may use our families to accomplish his great and marvelous purposes—just as he did with that young family over 2000 years ago. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

This week

This has not been the best week. We have already had 2 memorial services and will likely have another coming up, to honor those who lost their lives in the tragic attacks of last weekend. Remembrance Day (English Commonwealth's [Great Britain, Canada, Australia] equivalent of Veteran's Day) will take on added significance in light of its close proximity to these recent events. As a chaplain I have been asked to give prayers and remarks in these services. The Australain Artillery unit (they mentor the Afgahn National Army Artillery School) has adopted me as their chaplain. They have had 3 memorial services since I have been here, and I pray that there will be no more. This is my first deployment, so experiencing the emotions that go along with these events has been a new experience for me. The Aussies are a very experienced unit, and have been good mentors for me. Right after we got the bad news last week, the Australian Sergeant Major advised me to go ahead with the weekly watercolor class I was to teach that night. I followed his advice and it was good to do something that got my mind off the day's events and brought a little peace (the soothing music was very helpful). Three soldiers came and painted, so I was glad we went ahead with it.

This evening we ate with the Afghans. We had gushte gusfan (lamb) that had just been slaughtered today. It was very tender, and we ate it with some shredded cabbage, mini-limes, and non (bread). It was interesting to see inside the Afghan military dining facility. Some of the cooking pots are so large, you could literally take a bath in them! The civilian contractor who mentors their dining facility operations said that they serve about 13,000 meals a day!

Afghanistan does not have daylight savings time, so it has been getting dark here around 5:30pm for a while. The weather here has been beautiful of late--cool, clear skies. I am well-fed and get to work out at the gym regularly; I have no complaints. I just miss my family!

This week in sports...

Last weekend, I saw something that disturbed me. Two opposing coaches from NFL football teams were ready to go to blows after a football game. Players and other coaches had to restrain them. It started when one coach greeted the losing coach, who interpreted his greeting the wrong way, and chased him down on the way to the locker room. Neither coach was fined, but it seemed a poor display of sportsmanship.

Contrast this with what I witnessed yesterday, while watching the BYU vs Idoaho State football game. BYU's Kyle Van Noy, a defensive player, knocked down his opponent after the play had been stopped. It was a late hit, and he was penalized. The hit also injured the player, Idaho State's All-American punter. Punters are usually quite a bit smaller than the other players on the team, so it made the late hit that much more reprehensible. At half time, a reporter asked the coach of the injured player a question about his team's play. The coach responded that he didn't expect his talented punter to be knocked out of the game on a cheap hit, and he didn't expect that it would happen here at Brigham Young University, a church owned and operated school. He did not hide his disappointment and disdain for what had taken place, and quickly left the reporter after making his comment. What a bad situation, I thought to myself. Idaho State was already getting blown out, and now hard feelings over this late hit could linger with the players an coaches from Idaho State.

When the final whistle signaled the end of the game, BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall walked purposefully to the middle of the field. The broadcast could not pick up his comments, but one could only guess that he was offering some words of apology. Then, Idaho State's coach, Mike Kramer, put his arm around the back of Mendenhall's head and pulled him in close, speaking in his ear. When their heads separated, they seemed to have a professional, cordial demeanor. As soon as their exchange ended, Kyle Van Noy, was ready and waiting, as he had been defensively the whole game. Only this time, he was not there to deliver a hit, but an apology. His facial expression and posture seemed to communicate a sincere desire to let Coach Kramer know that he was sorry for what had happened. Then, Kramer pulled him close the same way he did with Mendenhall, and spoke in his ear. Their exchange ended and both seemed to be satisfied. Good feelings seemed to prevail on both sides, as players from opposing sides were seen smiling and conversing with each other. What a fortunate end to this game; it could have been otherwise. Instead of bitterness and resentment, there seemed to be a spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness.

Know that Idaho State's coach had every right to be upset; his talented punter suffered a concussion from the late hit and will likely miss next week's game. Yet, this did not seem to stand in the way of Mike Kramer extending forgiveness to those who sincerely sought it. Usually after I spend 3+ hours watching a football game, (one that I have looked forward to the whole week), I am not left with much in return, besides some lost sleep (the game started at 1130pm my time) and the fleeting enjoyment of watching my favorite team. This time it was different. I was left with a positive feeling after seeing those two coaches and that player come together in a spirit of unity that transcended the spirited competition on the playing field. This, above all of the exciting plays from the game itself, is what I will remember. Below is the link to the article.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700190592/BYU-football-Kyle-Van-Noy-apologizes-for-late-hit-on-punter.html