I have not taken the time to write much on Sunday, but today I saw something truly beautiful and noteworthy that to me represents the essence of what Sunday worship should mean and be.

In our church we have a family who’s husband has just left on active duty military service. His wife is now wholey responsible for the care of the home and 5 children (all under the age of 6 and the youngest is just a few months old). When this faithful sister came to church today, on her first Sunday alone, one of our young women saw her, and jumped up to assist. She helped the mother find a seat, get situated, and sat with her the entire meeting helping to care for the kids.

It was a beautiful act of service.

Very few people would have noticed the act, but those of us on the stand did and I know that God did. I teared up knowing that this dear young woman had truly learned the gospel. She knew how to live it!

So often in life we are not called on to do something great. Often we are simply asked to strengthen the feeble knees and to lift those in need of comfort. As Job taught us long ago, those who wish to be truly great will seek out for the cause they know not (job 29:16). God will often inspire us to act in seemingly insignificant ways, but that when these promptings are obeyed it will both increase our joy and strengthen our testimonies.

More than just about anthing else I heard today this young lady’s testimony of Christ in action taught me more than I could have hoped to learn from written word. Actions are a powerful testimony indeed!

Matthew Stearmer

A good friend of mine asked the following question regarding my post yesterday on “there could not have been a happier people”

“Please help me understand this part…

    You wrote: "All things were common between them. Regardless of being a man, woman, child, divorced, sick, widowed etc. ALL things were equal before them. How they managed to do it id not explained, but the result was peace. One person did not put himself or herself above another. They did not think they deserved more. In sharing and in equality they were all free."

    To me it seems quite a jump of meaning from the word ‘common’ to the word ‘equal’… please explain.”

I already responded in the comments to a degree, but I thought that it lead to such a good discussion that I wanted to pull it up to the main level.
 

This is the dictionary definition of common
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/common
12 dictionary results for: common
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) – Cite This Source – Share This
com⋅mon
   /ˈkÉ’mÉ™n/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [kom-uhn] Show IPA Pronunciation
adjective, -er, -est, noun –adjective
1.     belonging equally to, or shared alike by, two or more or all in question: common property; common interests.
2.     pertaining or belonging equally to an entire community, nation, or culture; public: a common language or history; a common water-supply system.
3.     joint; united: a common defense.
4.     widespread; general; ordinary: common knowledge.
5.     of frequent occurrence; usual; familiar: a common event; a common mistake.
6.     hackneyed; trite.
7.     of mediocre or inferior quality; mean; low: a rough-textured suit of the most common fabric.
8.     coarse; vulgar: common manners.
9.     lacking rank, station, distinction, etc.; unexceptional; ordinary: a common soldier; common people; the common man; a common thief.
 

You can take the any of the first 4 definitions of "common" and I see equal all over the definition of common, especially in the first two primary definitions. It does not seem like much of a jump – they sound more like synonyms.

Now, I think that the concern, if I can put words into my friends mouth, is that he an others have been looking at equality from a playing field stand point. We should all have the opportunities, but it is up to us to make of them what we will, and some will be better than others.

That is the main topic that I would like to address.

Looking in 3rd and 4th Nephi we gain a greater understanding of what was meant. We do not have to take the dictionaries word for it. Here are the verses that stick out to me as Mormon describes what happened as the all-things-in-common phenomenon disappeared.

3Ne 6:12-14 – The Nephites began to be distinguished by rank, riches, chances for learning, pride, persecution – "And thus there became a great inequality in the land"

4Ne 1:24-26 – pride, wearing costly apparel and fine things of the world – lead to divisions into classes and "their substances no more in common among them"

Regardless of which scripture you look at you can see that on the good/peaceful side equality and commonality are synonymous with peace. Class divisions lead to dissention and eventually destruction.

There are two other major periods of peace that I think are instructive. Words of Mormon – Mosiah 6 and Mosiah 10. In both of these periods the definition of the common or equal ideal is outlined – especially well by King Benjamin. In both of these instances peace was obtained, one for 3 years and the other for 22. In neither of them was it mentioned that they had all things in common, and in both the period is comparatively short when juxtaposed to the almost 200 years of peace in 4th Nephi.

In both instances it was dissension that ended the peace. The end of peace for Mosiah 6 is found in Mosiah 26. For Mosiah 10 it is in Mosiah 11.

Mosiah 26 and 27begins the story of Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah.
Mosiah 11 begins the story of King Noah

Both of these individuals/groups thought they were better than those around them. They rejected the equality of the church which said that everyone should care for the poor if possible (Mosaih 4) – that they should labor with their own hands (Mosiah 11:6 and 27:4) and not expect others to provide for them.

Their desire to aspire to the riches of man and to set themselves above their brethren led to great dissension, then inequality and then eventually destruction.

Now, the system by which they obtained equality was based on love and free choice. In the two Mosiah examples, everyone worked and apparently followed King Benjamin’s council to provide for the poor without thinking whether they deserved it or not. KB said they would have peace if they did it, there was peace, so it must have been followed to a large extent. In Mosiah 10 all the people worked to provide for their sustenance.

That will help gain a measure of peace, and it is based on the free agency of man. But it did not obtain lasting peace. We can speculate as to why, but I think that I can make a strong case for some thinking that they deserved to retain more than their brethren, because they worked "harder" or had better luck or whatever. We do not know why they thought they should have more, but we see in 3rd and 4th Nephi that some did in fact believe that they did deserve more and this led to dissension.

Now, I see the dissension on two fronts. D&C 56: 16-17 describes it well.
16 Wo unto you rich men, that will not give your substance to the poor, for your riches will canker your souls; and this shall be your lamentation in the day of visitation, and of judgment, and of indignation: The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and my soul is not saved!
  17 Wo unto you poor men, whose hearts are not broken, whose spirits are not contrite, and whose bellies are not satisfied, and whose hands are not stayed from laying hold upon other men’s goods, whose eyes are full of greediness, and who will not labor with your own hands!

If the poor demand distribution, and the rich refused it – I can see major dissension in the ranks.

Anyway, the point of all of this is the most peaceful period in all of Nephite history came during a time where all things were common among them (and I dare say equal). There were other times were there were large periods of peace where all parties worked for their labor, and shared to a large extent with those who’s minimum standard of living was not equal to their own (but to the degree that "all things were common" between them). And in both of these scenarios I see that it was proceeded by a people that were converted to the gospel. Keep the commandments, and developed a great love one towards each other. And that the more perfect the love got, the more equal things became.

It was not forced, but it was equal. And I believe that equality broke down because some felt they deserved more – both rich and poor – selfishness was still the root cause.

If we tried to transfer this into a political realm I think that one could not assume that a governing force of "equality" would obtain the same end result. I supposed you could make something look equal in the short term, but this would only end in tyranny. But we should not assume that all end results that end in equality resulted from tyranny.

Some will also say, well Matt, you know that it takes a great amount of money to become a doctor (for example). Don’t you think that they deserve to earn more? It is so expensive that if they did not earn more no one would go into medicine. To which I have to admit, that yes, under the current system that would be true.

But what I am talking about here, and what I believe to be backed up by these scriptural accounts is a completely different system. Under the rules of 4th Nephi if I had a proficiency in medicine I would be able to attend without the high price. The cost of education is high because we make it so. Not because it has to be. If everyone and every company had all things in common companies would not have to spend billions to develop a cure. And then they would not have to charge billions to receive the cure and recoup the cost. And if that were not in place then the whole organization of the schooling system to insurance etc would be so minimal that it would not take any more to educate a doctor as it would to educate a preschool teacher. It certainly would not be more valued. The doctor, who would have been supported by the community in getting the education he or she needed to provide care back to that community would not feel an obligation to be better off than the community that made them what they are today, but to do all things to support and sustain that community so that all would be better off together.

I’m talking about a radical transformation in the economic and political systems.

But I am not talking about radical change that is forced on these same organizations and people. The change in the scriptures was not based on a government being able to coerce those under their power into equality. That is barely a shadow of the right way, or right end result.

No, what Christ is offering is that if we believe on him, accept his will, keep his commandments, change our hearts and very natures completely from the natural man, that if we will do all of that, we will want to organize ourselves in such a way as to make the conditions of peace possible, which will lead not only to prosperity for some, but to equality for all. And at the same time, this love will ensure that the less fortunate mentally or in talent do not feel that they can take from any other person, they will learn to contribute in their own way to the maximum of their ability. Both parties will see the intrinsic value in the other and not feel better or worse. They will not demand anything of each other, but they will both love each other and contribute in all ways possible.

That to me is the standard that Christ has given to us, and it is up to each of us to decide to live it. We do not have to wait for Christ to come; we do not have to wait for the Church to institute the law of consecration. We can chose to live this way simply because we love our neighbor.

We can start. It starts inside each of us.

Be Healthy – Enjoy Life!

Matthew Stearmer
 

I’ve decided to write down some of my thoughts on religion each Sunday. I have volumes of thoughts, discussions, sermons and symposia. Most of them are filed in some random fashion in my office and this is going to be one of my means of organizing them.

A dear friend and colleague of mine has often mused over scriptures like Job 38:7 where the hosts of heaven looked at how the world was going to be organized and turn out, when the scriptures record “…The sons of God shouted for joy” (Job 38:7) and wondered if in these instances did they really just mean that the men rejoiced, and not the women as well, at what they saw would happen in the world below.

When the women of heaven looked at their station in life they must have been deeply troubled. Not even in this, the most modern of times, are women treated with the respect and veneration that they deserve. Most of the world is organized against them.

I’m sure that both men and women saw joy in the plan, but it does seem that women are asked to bear an enormously large burden in this life. They must have seen the reward in it truest light in order to be convinced to accept the plan. Only by understanding the whole plan would it have seemed enticing to them I think.

But despite the evil that can happen in the world there are glimpses of hope.

I was pondering this condition when I read in 4 Nephi the following passages.

  1 And it came to pass that the thirty and fourth year passed away, and also the thirty and fifth, and behold the disciples of Jesus had formed a church of Christ in all the lands round about. And as many as did come unto them, and did truly repent of their sins, were baptized in the name of Jesus; and they did also receive the Holy Ghost.
  2 And it came to pass in the thirty and sixth year, the people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another. 
  3 And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift.
 
  10 And now, behold, it came to pass that the people of Nephi did wax strong, and did multiply exceedingly fast, and became an exceedingly fair and delightsome people.
  11 And they were married, and given in marriage, and were blessed according to the multitude of the promises which the Lord had made unto them.
  12 And they did not walk any more after the performances and ordinances of the law of Moses; but they did walk after the commandments which they had received from their Lord and their God, continuing in fasting and prayer, and in meeting together oft both to pray and to hear the word of the Lord.
  13 And it came to pass that there was no contention among all the people, in all the land; but there were mighty miracles wrought among the disciples of Jesus.
 
  15 And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.
  16 And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.
  17 There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God.
  18 And how blessed were they! For the Lord did bless them in all their doings; yea, even they were blessed and prospered until an *hundred and ten years had passed away; and the first generation from Christ had passed away, and there was no contention in all the land.
 

I was so pleased to reread this passage, because it was a great remind of how men and women are seen in the eyes of the Lord and what he expects from us in our relationships at home, and the implications of these familiar relationships on society at large.

Here is what I take home from these verses.

1)    There was no fighting. They had learned to air their differences in a way that did not disrupt the peace. I imagine this is because they had put away their pride and could discuss topic based on their merit an not on the emotional connection to one idea or another.
2)    All things were common between them. Regardless of being a man, woman, child, divorced, sick, widowed etc. ALL things were equal before them. How they managed to do it id not explained, but the result was peace. One person did not put himself or herself above another. They did not think they deserved more. In sharing and in equality they were all free.
3)    Marriage was central to the peace. But these were not your average marriages. For one they were established among people that were absolutely equal in every way. Based on that foundation – and then learning to keep the commandments as a couple ensured that there was no contention in the land.
4)    This love of God, which started in the individual, moved to the family, and then spread to the nation can and should permeate the heart and mind of all those who desire to be disciples of Jesus Christ. If and when it does will be the beginning of peaceful days, for us as individuals, couples and eventually nations.
5)    Then in 16 and 17 many crimes that had been seen in the past were mentioned. What is striking is that the crimes mentioned are those most concerning to women. Arguing, whoredom, lying, personal violence, unfaithful husbands, all of these crimes deeply touch women. And these are the ones specifically mentioned here in the scriptures. A Zion society is one that women would truly rejoice to be a part of. It will not just be good for one sex, but for both.

The final assessment was that there could not have been a happier people on the face of the planet.

Now, I cannot make Zion come any faster. I cannot make Christ come any faster. And given the conditions we believe will be present before we see these events transpire, I doubt anyone will confuse the world with a peaceful place that we all want to be a part of. It is going to be a tumultuous time.

BUT, I can become more Christ like personally and in my marriage. If I will first concentrate on fixing myself. And then learning to keep the commandments with my wife then I can be assured inner peace and peace as a couple.

I know that this Zion society in the home is possible. Janille and I have modified our behaviors to such a degree that we have never fought with each other ever. No arguing, no backbiting, no bitterness. Our marriage has been such a bed rock to us. It is the most wonderful gift from God.

Now least anyone think that we might get translated any time soon, let me assure you that this same peace as a couple is not extended to our children 100% of the time. We still have a long ways to go before being a perfect family. But I can tell you how nice it is to parent together. I know that I can trust Janille to not undermine – or me her – as we raise the kids. And we are both in the house practically 24/7 so we can do most of our parenting together to begin with.

Anyway, my point is that we can achieve at least 2 out of the 3 levels of peace. And in this world 2 out of 3 ain’t bad as they say. And if we can get these first two levels fixed, who knows what influence we might have on the world.

Be Healthy – Enjoy Life,

Matthew Stearmer