ENOUGH OR ALMOST

A few weeks ago when I was writing some Life's Lessons Learned statements, for some reason I got started on thinking about how different individual and societal existence would be if people ‘almost’ did something for which they are remembered in the history books.

Christopher Columbus left Castilian Palos de la Fonterra on August 3, 1492 and 72 days later followed a flock of large birds to the island the natives called Guanahani, which today is known as San Salvador in the Bahamas.

If he had yielded to the pleadings of his crew to turn back earlier, there would have been no way he could have cheated two of his crew out of the reward for having first sighted land. There would be no disputations today as to whether he is worthy of having a day of celebration in the nations of the Americas.

The estimated number of failures Thomas Edison’s lamp factory had before successfully having light generated and sustained in a vacuum bulb varies from thousands to tens of thousands. He has been quoted as saying that they didn't have 1,000 failures, but 1,000 steps toward success.

Whatever the number, if they had stopped short of success we would be defaming a company by some other name for the amount of our energy bills. The debate whether it is a good or bad thing to have our days lighted 24/7 would defame or praise someone else.

The first person martyred for attempting to translate the Christian Scriptures into a ‘modern’ language is reported to have taken place during the 8th century and the last reported killing of persons attempting to translate the Bible into a language took place in the year 2016.

It is estimated that the Bible is currently translated, wholly or at least a portion of it, into 2,883 languages.

Although the exact number of martyrs, who have made the ultimate sacrifice to translate the word of God into the Babel diffused languages of the world, has only been accurately recorded in heaven, we have to understand what a different world we would live in if only clerics had access to the word.

Our world would surely be lacking if we weren't able to universally ignore Peter’s admonition that no scripture or prophecy was for individual interpretation. My personal world would have been lacking, if, as a youth, I hadn't been able to listen to the ‘old salts’ arguing over passages of the Bible at the ‘Spit and Argue’ gatherings on the shore of Long Beach, California.

In spite of my ‘tongue in cheek’ treatment of these discoverers, inventors and martyrs, I am grateful that none of them fell short in their quests and I know as I sit at my well-lit desk, referencing the scriptures in my native tongue in my California condo my life would have been much less had any of them and their like fallen short.

After that lengthy, introduction I now return to what I wrote on that recent Sunday past.

When all is revealed to us about our lives – how many of us will gain a sure witness – how many times – we fell one prayer short of a sure testimony?

When all is revealed to us about our lives – how many of us will gain a sure witness – how many times – we fell one step short of a goal?

When all is revealed to us about our lives – how many of us will gain a sure witness – how many times – we fell one act of service short of becoming filled with charity?

When all is revealed to us about our lives – how many of us will gain a sure witness – how many times – we fell one act of kindness short of loving our neighbor?

When all is revealed to us about our lives – how many of us will gain a sure witness – how many times – we fell one verse short of finding comfort in the word?

When all is revealed to us about our lives – how many of us will gain a sure witness – how many times – we fell one act of courage short of gaining victory?

When all is revealed to us about our lives – how many of us will gain a sure witness – how many times – we fell one patient act short of becoming more selfless?

When all is revealed to us about our lives – how many of us will gain a sure witness – how many times – we fell one act of forgiveness short of being forgiven?

When all is revealed to us about our lives – how many of us will gain a sure witness – how many times – we fell one trial short of gaining a more sure witness?

When all is revealed to us about our lives – how many of us will gain a sure witness – how many times – we fell one sacrifice short of enjoying the personal love and comfort of Jesus the Christ?

Now that I have exhausted my limit of ten items in a list, let me add the following quotes and some counsel from the scriptures.

“I am here for a purpose and that purpose is to grow into a mountain, not to shrink to a grain of sand. Henceforth will I apply all my efforts to become the highest mountain of all and I will strain my potential until it cries for mercy.” ~ Og Mandino

“Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.” ~ Pablo Picasso

The sower soweth the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.

And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred. ~ New Testament – Mark 4: 14-20

And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken unto you—that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God—I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants.

And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order. ~ Book of Mormon – Mosiah 4: 26, 27

Just as Columbus had no idea whether land would be found in 72 or 82 days, and Edison had no idea what medal would burn without being consumed in a vacuum tube, and the martyrs did not know how many words they would be able to translate before their lives would be taken; none of us know what tomorrow will bring.

Therefore, it is expedient that today I say one more prayer, take one more step, do one more act of service, one more act of kindness, read one more verse, seek once again, overcome one more trial, learn one more concept and make one more sacrifice.

May our daily efforts be sufficient to allow us to be counted among those servants who, in even small ways, multiplied their talents so that when we once again regain his presence, we may be privileged to hear the Master say, ‘well done my good and faithful servant’ is my fervent prayer.