Hastening The Work: A Member's Story

Guess who are the investigators?

For decades, many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have heard the familiar cry of David O. Mckay stating that every member a missionary. Even till today, this phrase has continually shown up in numerous talks and General Conferences.

Like I mentioned in my previous post, the lowered missionary age requirement highlighted, among other hot topics, this theme which we now call "hastening the work". It's no novel concept, but there seems to be a heightened sense of urgency.

I don't remember where I read this, but I recall at some point Neal A. Maxwell mentioned that it is us that's holding back the Second Coming of Christ by not properly prepare the way of The Lord in His earthly kingdom. This goes back to the mission statement of the Church: to invite all to come unto Christ (D&C 20:59). Naturally, this encompasses preaching the Gospel, perfecting the saints, and redeeming the dead.

Focusing on the members' side of things, I'm sure most of us have been constantly reminded of duties like home teaching, temple ordinances, etc. They'll be topics for another time. Although it's been nearly four years since I've been off my mission, I've observed how members can shape and influence missionary work. This will be a "how I should respond when I see this" column. I'll describe a scenario and then write down potential actions to resolve the said situation.

Scenario: hard working missionaries not being productive
Potential Actions:

• Offer missionaries advice - not condescendingly, not without some tack and conversation skills. I have served a mission. I'm sure I have some decent ideas (like those missionaries that did the chalk drawings in New York) if the current proselyting methods aren't bringing forth fruit.
• Referrals - this has to be done over time (or get lucky). I don't want to shove a friend into the missionaries out of nowhere. There's a reason why we don't put our candles under a bushel. I should be an example to my friends and neighbors (Matt 5:15).

Scenario: recent converts go inactive
Actions:

• Look inwardly - ask myself, "did I fellowship or were at least friendly to the new convert during the whole investigatory process?" It baffles me when members make unfair remarks against these people. To be frank, it's attacking the recent covert's integrity, making implications about the missionaries, ward mission leader, and even the bishop/branch president. Be a helping hand in the process, not rain in a parade.
• See it as opportunity - many people think preaching the Gospel is purely accomplished by full-time missionaries and home teaching/visiting teaching is the member version of this work. Well, in this case, it can go beyond them. Keeping up with my Book of Mormon readings (or just the baptismal covenant), we soon realize we all put our shoulders to the wheel (Mosiah 18:8-10). Now, it's up to the members to do the rescue.

Scenario: hungry missionaries

Actions:

• A snack - no need to feed them a meal when it's not feasible. Never hurts to buy them a drink or a snack, though. Not all missionaries go hungry, in fact, some gain weight and there are places where members love stuffing them. For me, I was a measly 120 pounds on my mission...I'm 150 now and I don't know where I can lose that 30 pounds.
• Coupons - that I never seem to use. Missionaries already have little money. If possible, I'm down with offering minimal assistance in this matter.
• Money - a shout out to the Plymouth Ward when the Relief Society came up with the idea to give the four missionaries some spending money. It was a gesture that prolonged my lifespan by a wide margin, in addition to the Hazells' generosity. Point being, this is something I don't have to do alone.

When Jesus told the Apostles to go forth without scrip, etc., the verses were then followed by abiding in the dwellings of those who would or have received the good news (various places in the Four Gospels). Definitely not manna falling from the sky. So, little temporal assistance is always appreciated and needed.

Scenario: proselyte with missionaries

Actions:

• Remember who I am - nobody likes a pushy weirdo without a tag. I would let the missionaries lead the approach and offer my bit of assistance. I've served a mission, I can do this. Although, I do wonder when will be the next time I'll have free time to do this again once I graduate. Probably not until retirement.
• Be firm - and not overbearing (Alma 38:12). This goes back to the pushy weirdo with no name tag above. It is common courtesy. It somewhat irked me during an instance when a member who was supposed to help alongside of us became mere nuisance and hindrance. Not to mention, aggravating random strangers on the road is usually not the best idea.

The list would extend indefinitely if I sit here typing all night. Whenever I see something happening, I tend to wonder if I could, or would, do something different. The above-mentioned scenarios are a few things I've put some thought into, but haven't necessarily put into actions as of yet. Regardless, setting goals is a way I can progress because I have a direction to march towards.

Motherhood Is Not Overrated

It's funny because everyone has to learn and/or improvise.

It's been a year since the mission age requirement for both young men and women was lowered. With the lowering of age and increased prominence of sister missionaries worldwide, there have been some interesting social movements around as well. In particular, I've noticed some more Mormon feminist activities.

I'm all for equal opportunities and equality regardless of gender, race, etc. However, I could never align myself 100% with that ideology.

Of course, feminism is defined as collection of movements and ideologies aimed to define, establishing, defending equal political, economical, and social rights for women. Sounds awesome, right? Well, just like any other ideology practiced by people, sometimes they go the extreme or beyond the purpose of what it should have been in the first place. Believe me, everything sounds good on paper, but not so much in practice. I'm sure many of you can think of feminist supporters who hold the idea that women are superior and that we should reverse the discrimination in the other direction instead.

This past Conference, I noted the talks by D. Todd Christofferson and Neil L. Andersen. They were about women's roles and the influence they have on society as a whole. I believe those talks were sparked by the most recent demands on ordination of women. What does this has to do with the title of the post? I will get to that in a moment. I've thought about this topic before the October Conference, and I was glad the issue was addressed.

Motherhood and the nurturing of children have been mainstays of human interactions for women probably since the dawn of time. While men could also take roles in such bonding, I guess it's just different due to myriads of factors I'm not going to list here. Basically, mothers tend to spend more time with children ; thus, socialization of children happens at home and especially by the mothers.

Unfortunately, as sexist notions rose among the population, the domestic duties performed by women were ridiculed and portrayed in negative light by (mostly) men. Then, centuries of oppression continued until educated minds came to their senses and felt degrading half of the human population was definitely not the best way to build a society.

An even more unfortunate turn of events is the notion that what women do in the home is practically meaningless. The idea that domestic chores, nurturing children, being a support character in the family, etc. are but shackles to a woman's potential. In a sense, they are partially correct. When a woman is only offered these choices, it is undoubtedly limiting. I believe a woman should be able to choose to have a career and/or focus on family life. Agency and opportunity should have been the main focus of the feminist movement.

Hilariously, much of the feminist movement focuses on what men arbitrarily labeled as insignificant when it comes to a woman's important role in the family. The sense that women should stay away from family pursuits, women should be like men and do everything like men or better.

Who suffer in the end? The next generation. The paradox here is almost everyone still expects men to go out and have a career while the new women are often encouraged to stay away from home life or even take on both roles as breadwinner and a mother. I have to admit, it is very difficult to sustain a family based on a single income in today's economy, but many proponents of the breadwinner mother seem to prefer the idea the mother takes all the responsibilities on herself. She doesn't need a man. She can do just as well.

Well, how about that? A woman doesn't need a man for anything because she can do it herself. Guess who's liberated in the end? Men. (It totally made my day when Elder Christofferson brought that up.) The irony, then, is we are fighting for equality not based on revealed principles, but what the ever-shifting world has to say about importance, which often fortifies itself behind materialism and the currently not-so-hot economy.

In one of Paul's letters, he taught neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord (1 Cor. 11:11). No one achieves exaltation alone. Eve was to be a help meet to Adam. In fact, we learn that Eve labored with Adam to bring about the human family (Gen. 2:18; Moses 5:1). The point being, they worked together. While it's been speculated that Adam performed more of a provider role and Eve in nurturing children, but I'm sure it was not 100% one way or the other. Most happily married couples I know have overlapping duties while one partner focused more in one responsibility than the other.

Satan is clever. By driving men and women apart, he effectively drives families apart and frustrates the progression of many. Yes, he wouldn't win in the long run, but the point is to make as many people to fall short of celestial glory as possible because he wants them to be as miserable as himself (2 Ne. 2:18).

So, to give you my opinion on ordination of women... I believe when the time is right, the Lord will reveal what He will. We are taught in the temple that the wife is the priestess unto the husband. I'm sure there's some profound meaning behind that phrase. Regardless, the phrase also suggests it's different from the priesthood men hold to bless others. I don't know what the implication is because I'm only a mortal, but I do know that both genders are different by nature.

Everyone is NOT the same. If we were, most of us would have gladly followed Lucifer in the rebellion instead of going along with the Father's original plan. Life is about choices and everyone, men and women, are entitled to pursue what they want in this journey. However, don't ever underestimate the importance of the role of mother in a family. Trust me, if my mom didn't raise me a certain way, I wouldn't be the way I am today. Just because it's not your cup of tea doesn't mean it's not important. Your own personal Zion is not exactly the same as everyone else's.

Doubt Your Doubts

The 183rd Semiannual General Conference

It's that time again! Every six months, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints opens up its global broadcasting capability for General Conference, a time when members all over the world gather and listen to inspired messages.

Thanks to the convenience of the Internet, I was able to stay at home and enjoy the experience with my roommates.

Anyways, it looks like I'll probably be spending this month writing about topics that impressed me the most during Conference.

I've always enjoyed Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk since the day I discovered his awesome German accent and intriguingly good looking hair for his age. The message he delivered is best quoted as "doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith". I chose to write about this message first because it resonates deeply with where I came from in life as a convert to the Church.

President Uchtdorf counselled members to hold steadfast to the words of eternal life because we are part of the restored church of Jesus Christ. There are many people who have left due to struggles with challenges or even unkind behaviors from its members. However complicated the reasons are for leaving, he urged us to stay and consecrate our talents for the greater good of the Kingdom of God on Earth.

When Jesus said that no man could come unto Him except it were given of him by the Father, many disciples walked with him no more because they believed not in His teachings. Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked if they would also go away. To which, Peter answered, "Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life" (John 6:65-67). Peter knew He was the Messiah.

But, we can't compare mortals to The Master. Yes, people are imperfect and operations under human hands also are imperfect. This is more the reason why we should all consecrate our efforts to make sure the establishment functions the way as it is intended. Like Peter mentioned, if we have, or had, the conviction to believe this is the true church of Christ restored upon the Earth in the latter days, where else would we go to hold steadfast and endure to the end?

Echoing from my previous post, are we overconfident to the point that we believe we can make it on our own by our own self-proclaimed proficiency in following the Spirit? The Lord gave people weaknesses so they can be humble, and in meekness, they are made strong (Ether 12:27). It is said that no man is an island, and I believe there's wisdom in that saying. We easily wind up relying on the arm of the flesh when we go solo, not to mention that we'd most likely stop loving our neighbors altogether.

I could have turned my back on so many occasions due to trials or certain "unfairness" in life that caught up with me. To this day, I still stand by my mantra that I am ultimately accountable for my own actions. I sure did not join the Church because of social comfort, special privileges, or some cute girl that happened to be Mormon. My loyalty and faith lie with God and it was restored when I was introduced to His restored teachings. I will be part of His organization and contribute to the cause.

As a man of minority myself, I've had plenty of people dislike me simply because of the color of my skin and physical appearance. It's of no matter because I know there are good and bad in every groups of people. As for challenging the legitimacy or capability of leaders, my take has always been should they be wrong, Jesus Himself will deal with them when He returns. It is of no concern to me.

Some people would point out some of the "blatantly wrong" things that happen/happened in the Church. To them, I'll respond with what the Lord has spoken many times in the Doctrine and Covenants. It is the eleventh hour and we've been called to labor in the vineyard one last time before the great harvest. I am certain the Church will not go astray to the point of leading men into mass apostasy before the Savior returns. Remember, doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith!