A Monumental View Of Heaven

April 18th, 2024 Scott
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Having grown up in the suburbs of Maryland gave me proximity to our Nation’s capital.  In fact, I was born in it.   So, on occasion as a family, mostly when relatives came to town,  we would go sightseeing to Washington D.C.   One of the sites we often visited was the Washington Monument.  Erected in 1884 in commemoration of our first president, it stands 555 feet high, (almost two football fields), and is still the highest building in the city.  It is certainly one of the most famous landmarks of our country. I recall as a small boy playing on the fields surrounding it while Fourth of July fireworks exploded above it in the hot humid air; its white marble obelisk shape silhouetted again the black of the night.  Back in the 1960’s you were allowed to climb the stairway up to the top of the monument.  My siblings and I would enter its doors, then race as fast as we could to see who could get to the top first.  Once there, you have a wonderful view of the entire city as well as parts of the countryside of Maryland and Virginia.  I still recall the beauty of it!

Between the “demands” of high school days, a mission and college, years went by before I found the time to revisit the Washington Monument one hot summer day.  By his time I had become a man, married with a small child.  Fortunately rules had been implemented making the “scaling” of this great monument illegal, thus allowing me the dignity of taking the elevator to the top. When I reached the top for my panoramic view of the area, I saw that something else had changed.  The view!  There, nestled above the tops of the green trees, almost as if it was floating on air, was the majestic Washington D.C. temple. It had been built just a few years before.  The angel Moroni’s gold horn seemed to be sounding to the world “Come to the house of the Lord!” and its white marble seemed to outshine the marbled building in which I stood.

As I stood there that day, my mind started to soak in that sacred edifice and it’s significance in my life.  In it I had made sacred covenants to the Lord to give of all that I had, or would ever have, in building up His kingdom.  It was there that I had entered and promised before Him, angels, and all witnesses that I would love, honor, and cherish my wife, not just for this life, but for eternity.  It was there that promises were made to me that if I would live according to my covenants, my wife, children, and I could “inherit eternal life” together.(Matthew 19:27) It brought to my mind that it represented so much more than the monument I was standing in.  Its spires, that stood reaching to the heavens, represented all of my hopes and dreams as a man. It stood as a monument to my faith in a God, His plan, and of the purpose of my own existence.  In short, it peaked out of the greenery as a reminder that it could give me a glimpse into the eternities.

Now, so many years later, I have a better perspective on the short duration of this “so-called life”. It is temporary, it is short, and it will end sooner than we want or expect.  It is a testing ground of our faith.  It is a battleground for the souls of men.  A visit here is a necessary part of our progression. But, lest we forget our home, we have been provided sanctuaries, places of repose and peace called temples.  They are “monuments” to our God, our Father and our Savior.

I have since returned to the top of the Washington Monument on a number of occasions. But none have been sweeter than that day, when I first saw, from its top, a “monumental view of heaven” from here on earth!

My Sister, Who Rains Smiles!

April 17th, 2024 Scott
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TheDiscipleMD

If you have ever met that person who seems to be happy all the time, one whose constant traveling companion is a smile, you might think they can’t be for real…but for some it can! At least I know it is for my sister. Always bright, ever cheery, welcoming and warm; her life is not devoid of heartache and problems; she just chooses to look for the good that the Lord has given her. That might make some people jealous, or maybe even skeptical. I think it makes my sister a good person and one who chooses to bless the lives of others, as would Christ, with a little sunshine!

All of us descend into the “depths of hell” from time to time and certainly we can all feel sorry for the ways things “might have been” when it comes to our lives, or that of our families. But the true test of our character is how we go about our daily lives when those dreary days fall upon. What I love about my sister, is that she “chooses” to be bright. She chooses to be that “light on the hill” that cannot be hid. (Matt. 5:14) I know she must have moments of sorrow and despair, as we all do, but I think she has faith in the Lord, and in the plan of happiness as designed by our loving Father, which elevates her out of the common quagmire of sorrow. True faith in the eternal nature of families can lift and inspire us to overcome the world. I think that is what I most admire about my sister. She has internalized the council of Dieter Uchtdorf who taught us to “lift where we stand!”

So to you my older sister, I am ever grateful that I can always go to someone who lifts me to a higher state of mind, and who is a builder of people. You have been crowed a queen by the world long ago, but in my mind, that crown pales in comparison to the eternal reward that awaits those like you, who brighten the lives of their fellowman and bring joy and happiness into this lone and dreary world! May this day “rain smiles” on you (as you do for others) and flood your heart with joy for all the happiness you have given to others.

Dan; A Constant Calm In The Midst Of Storms

April 16th, 2024 Scott
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I immediately liked him, even when he was just a name written in a letter to me. That’s how I first heard of him. My baby sister had pledged to me when I left for my church mission to Argentina, that she wouldn’t get married till I returned. But within six months a letter arrived telling me she was dating a guy and that they were getting serious. Not too long afterward she let me know that she was getting married before I would be returning home. I figured that she had to have met a pretty special guy if she was going to break her word to me. When I got back from Argentina in July of 1977, I got to meet the man she had chosen. And he didn’t disappoint! I don’t know exactly why he was naturally likeable. He just was! He seemed to always be smiling, joking, always with warmth.

Over the years he always showed kindness both to me and to my family. And over all these years I can never recall being mad at him. My sister had made a wise choice! He was a great husband and father to their kids. I don’t know why bad things happen to such good people. I know it is part of the plan but somehow, his sudden death years ago still stings!

I was talking with my wife the other night. We talked about life and its meaning; its fragileness! One minute things are going well, and the next, well….. ! I cannot imagine going through life without her by my side. Yet, I know it is a fact that she or I will have to walk that road, alone, someday. I am always in hopes that it will be later than sooner, but it is something I have very little control of. I can only control my response to it! I have great faith that life is eternal, that my marriage, as well as my siblings marriages can also be eternal.

My brother-in-law lived a life of service and devotion to the building up of the kingdom of God, and of loving and supporting his family. He lacked nothing when it came to caring for people! I think it is evident from how people speak of him, that they loved and cared about him. I feel fortunate to have visited him and my sister just a couple of weeks before he died. I spent one evening, late, talking with him and my sister. He spoke positively about his kids, others, and about life in general. He was not much for complaining. My sister and I droned on, talking about childhood memories. Memories that, I’m sure, he has heard over and over and over. He listened and smiled till his eyes became heavy, then his breathing. I looked over at him, peacefully sleeping on the couch. He slept there for some time as my sister and I kept talking. Finally he awoke, smiled at us and excused himself to bed. It’s not that I see that interaction as so “amazing.” It was the consistency of his “demeanor” through the years that was “amazingly” special. He was a constant calm in the midst of the storms of life!

I am grateful to have known him. It has been over a decade since he passed to the other side. I pray his children will always remember that their father was a man of God. It was the belief he held in eternal life, eternal marriage, and eternal families that gave him the calm to weather the storms of this life, even to the end. It is the promises of the Lord that make men of God calm. For they know who is at the helm, and who is guiding their lives toward the great horizon.

The Celestial Costume Ball

April 15th, 2024 Scott
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“It is a sad fate for a man to die too well known to everybody else and still unknown to himself”- Sir Francis Bacon

The above quote reminds me of a verse in the New Testament. It is found in the thirteenth chapter of Corinthians. It is a well-known chapter because in it is found Paul’s wonderful writings on charity. It also contains the well-known verse of “…when I became a man I put away childish things” (vs. 11). But it’s the following verse that is not oft quoted, but packs a powerful message. It reads:

“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known” (vs.12)

What does “then shall I know even as also I am known” mean? It vaguely sounds like Sir Francis Bacon’s quote. Perhaps it was the inspiration of Bacon’s quote.

Section Seventy-Six of the Doctrine and Covenants gives us an answer. This great section is the revelation given by the Lord to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon on the Kingdoms of Heaven.  Its one of the most informative and powerful revelation given to man on the next life. In it are these words, speaking of those obtaining the highest glory:

“They who dwell in his presence are the church of the Firstborn; and they see as they are seen, and know as they are known, having received of his fullness and of his grace…” (vs. 94-95)

One of the most powerful drives that all of us have is to gain an understanding of our true identity.  As Sir Francis Bacon opined, lucky is the man who is able to discover, in this life, the mystery of “himself”. Our true identity is important for us to know, so that we can reach our full potential! In this life we do see through a “glass, darkly” because we are temporarily separated from our Father, the source of all light. But through the restoration of the true gospel of Jesus Christ, all men are able to look through a more “clear glass” into our past existence, and into the next life. We are able to come to a greater understanding of our divine heritage and destiny! Paul was saying that he had a limited understanding of who he was, but that he had faith that if he lived righteously, he would be rewarded with a full understanding of his eternal identity. Anyone who has ever attended a sealing in the temple knows of the symbolic nature of the mirrors which create an endless reflection. The mirrors are located in a room highly lite and with glass of perfect clarity.

Because God is our creator, He sees us differently than we see ourselves. The day will come when invitations will go out inviting those qualified to attend a “Celestial Costume Ball.” At the appointed time at the ball, all masks will be removed revealing the true identities of everyone attending. Most intriguing, to us will be who is behind our own masks. It’s the Cinderella story, in reverse. You come in rags, and leave dressed as queens and kings. At the Celestial Ball you are likely to hear someone exclaim, “So it was you, who helped me get through the toughest times of my life!” Then as they embrace, with tears in their eyes, the words “Oh I always felt such special feelings for you my dear friend” and the reply, “And me for you!”Such are the glorious reunions that await those who live faithful lives and who will bask in God’s love for eternity.

It is a “sad fate” to live a life and not know who you are! Fortunately, through the restored gospel of Jesus Christ our identities have been more fully revealed.  May we all live our lives such that the day will come when  invitations to the “Celestial Costume Ball” arrive at our doors.  There, in his presence, all will be revealed.  It will then be our privilege to “know as we are known”.

 

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