November 3, 2007

  • What happened in November . . .

    "Hear me when I speak, and just listen, and try not to be some kind of self righteous high being, or the opposite and mislead me, to better your mind unseen, this is a story of how we can be.  They're building you up to tear you down, they won't admit it but it's true. Their smile and advice to end with your frown, 'cause they don't want what's best for you. It's sad I know, I know, but you know I know something else, and now it's my turn to just sit back and tell . . . So step back and be real, and just admit the way you feel, and see that we are all one big learning gang. And it's true that, we all wanna be the baddest.  We all have a little baggage, even though we hide it, and we always will deny it, . . ." (The Rocket Summer).

    I just got back from the Temple where I had an incredible experience.   Going to that Holy House brought me such peace and assurance and calm.  I received more meaningful revelation today than I have ever previously received.  It was like I was prepared for it and never have been before.  I'd like to share those revelations with you, but  I think they were meant for me.  You may not have been prepared for them in the way I was prepared.  Besides they are about what I need to do.  My advice is for you to go to the Temple and receive the direction meant for you.  I will share a few of the things that struck me this time around, and then you can pay attention to those things when you go. 

    The most overshadowing theme for me today was God's desire for our happiness.  God created a beautiful world for us to be happy in.  In fact Adam, and therefore all mankind, was commanded to be happy.  He was also told to fill the measure of his creation.  An interesting point made by the Book of Mormon's perspective on the Plan of Salvation is that Adam couldn't be happy in the Garden of Eden.  Happiness came with sadness, something that entered the world when he ate of the forbidden fruit.  Eating that fruit went against what God had told him to do, but he was promised the choice was his, and it was the only way he could remain with Eve, who had already partaken of the fruit.  That is another theme that hit me hard.  It is not meant for man to be alone.  I was also particularly sensitive to how the Savior's atonement was established in the beginning as the solution to the sins of all mankind, including Adam's partaking of the forbidden fruit.

    Part of why I went to the Temple today was to reveiw the covenants I had made and ponder on the blessings that come from them.  I paid very close attention to what those covenants entailed and I was very surprised.  I also paid attention to the blessings that are promised, and that was a very powerful thing for me.  I have never felt more sure of myself.

    So that is what I did today.  So far it's really the only worthwhile thing I've done all day, other than listen to wonderful music.  Right now I'm listening to "Story."  When this song is done I'm gonna go blast "Defying Gravity."

    "And I'm not saying that I'm any better than you.  Sometimes I have motives that are just so stupid and I play the fool. But man, you're killing me.  The charade has got to end, so stop acting like you know everything, because you're missing the point.  You are supposed to be my friend. . . I don't, I don't know. . . Just drive, just drive.  Drive me away.  Take me to another place where I know, I know, what's happening to my head and to my dreams 'cause I want, I want, I need, I need, some peace of mind and clarity, so just take, take my hand, And let's flee . . ." (The Rocket Summer).