LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

One of the universal truths – which we should all live by – is the understanding of how little we know!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

There are times when it is difficult to define some words – such as love – and – joy – but we are very aware – when we feel those emotions – and – when those feelings are absent!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

The level of one’s ability to verbally express their faith – is not necessarily the best way – to measure its depth!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Even though we may not have a particular need – we must be careful not to have our lack of need – cause us to judge our neighbors as wanton!!

THE JOY OF AUTUMN

As I was beginning the pre writing process for this Thought my mind started to connect the yearly harvest we celebrate on Thanksgiving Day with the harvest Kathleen and I seem to be reaping during the Autumn of our lives.

The seed which was planted our first evening together, which included me not being able to find the Los Angeles Forum and then watching a Harlem Globetrotter’s performance, has been lovingly nurtured, blossomed into fullness and continues to provide us with an abundance of daily love. We have come to know each other very well, on some days it might even seem too well, but on most days it proves to be the key to being able to help one another through our down days and brings joint celebration to our good days. As we tend our garden of love we seem to move about with more caution and a bit more slowly our appreciation for one another strengthens and sends its roots more deeply.

Our planting and nourishing has expanded and widened where once it was contained within four walls and included six new plants which, although they sprang from common seed, varied in almost every way. Those six plants have generated an additional 20 wonderful plants which have at this writing started gardens of their own which number 4. We do not have current flowers from all over the world, but as DNA tests begin to demonstrate the tracing of our pedigree covers every continent on the globe. If anyone ever needed evidence for the individuality of the spirits which are housed in our bodies having a profound influence on our characters, our family would make a wonderful example. In this wonderful day of harvest we now dot the western states of the United States of America and some have even been blown off to distant states. If variety is the key to happiness then Kathleen and I can be counted among the most happy.

The years of toiling with the sweat of our brows seemed to barely keep us sheltered, clothed and fed, but in the end the practice of frugality, doing without, careful budgeting, generous parents and benevolent employment benefits filled our pantries and left us with and abundant harvest and a horn of plenty running over during our autumn years. Kathleen provided for much of the resources needed to keep our children properly dressed for school through ironing and babysitting, even though they sometimes felt alterations were necessary to please their peers. When our boys started to leave to serve missions for the church, she went to work full time at the University of Nevada in various capacities which paid for their missions. After working by my side in Colombia for three years she went to work in retail for a while and then settled into working as an office manager for a law office. (I would be amiss if I didn't mention the help the Tim and Jill Dyches provided us while we were serving in Colombia) I think you can begin to catch the vision why in spite of my career of 50 year in the Church Education System, we have enough and to spare in our day of harvest.

It took our six immediate offspring a bit of time to adjust when we announced a year ago that our days of travel had ended. It is also interesting to watch the faces of friends as they are extolling the wonders of their most recent adventure and want us to join them on the next one when we tell them our traveling days have ended. However, Kathleen and I feel that we have been blessed with sufficient seeing of the world that our memory bank is now filled with journeys which amount to a marvelous harvest of words and pictures. We seldom see a documentary when we are unable to exclaim ‘we have been there.’ Our book of memories includes besides the voluminous travel we have done in the USA, a month long trip to the Holy Lands, an extended tour of the Book of Mormon Lands, three years living in Bogota, Colombia, and a visit to our roots in the British Isles. I spent several years living in Mexico which I probably shouldn't bring up, since I have never taken Kathleen back to my mission area. Our journals and albums are filled to capacity with memories of travels and now we bask in the harvest of wonderful memories.

Although Kathleen seems to have retained her pre mortal testimony, values and character, leaving her with little reason to kick against the pricks, my life has followed more along the path of testimony and truth rising from the fires of doubt. There were times when having a certain knowledge of one truth did not automatically make all connecting truths valid in Kathleen’s soul, but it always seemed a short journey to joining all the dots. My personal journey has been line upon line, here a little there a little, but as the days grow shorter I have arrived at a place of peace where I know how little I know. We are grateful for the fullness which the gospel of Jesus the Christ and His Restored Church have brought to our lives. We are content that the Lord has blessed us with opportunities and privileges which have filled our experience basket to overflowing and helped us accomplish the purposes for which we were placed here. We are grateful that as the shadows of harvest time lengthen we have been given stewardships in the kingdom which fit our waning capabilities and help us to still contribute and feel validated.

Autumn has always been Kathleen’s favorite season of the year, even though I traditionally have preferred spring. There is little doubt that when winter’s snows cover our final resting place and we are in a better place, I will look fondly to the time we spent this wonderful autumn of our lives hand in hand.

THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY

EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Spiritual growth becomes a very individual thing – because all of us are nourished – in different fields – and – by different gardeners!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Like crows – many intelligent beings – lose their audiences – because – they make too much unnecessary noise!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Just as we are grateful for the beauty – which comes from enjoying a variety of trees – flowers – clouds – and – all the changes we see in nature – we should be equally grateful for the beauty which comes from – the differences which we see in our brothers – and – sister on our beautiful world!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

It will be an eternal loss – if the majority of our lives are spent – being distracted from those things – we were sent to earth – to learn and do!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Revelation and prophecy – are usually appreciated more – after their fulfillment – than at their pronouncement!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

We are each responsible – for the things we become addicted to – and – allow to diminish our Agency!!

WIDENING MY MYOPIC VIEWS

I think I remember and I know I have seen my posterity collectively engage in looking at the world through a straw, turning telescopes and binoculars backwards and rolling up sheets of paper to gaze at their surroundings.

If having a view of the world as if we were looking through a straw were just a child’s game all would be well with the world, but I have come to realize that most of the experiences we have in life, the social groups with which we associate, the mentors we choose to follow, seem to cause us all to view the world through ever narrowing tubes.

The last time I was asked to lead the discussion in a High Priest Group meeting, I was given the assignment of leading the discussion centered on the Atonement of Jesus the Christ. As so often happens in the abbreviated time allotted for lessons in our consolidated meeting schedule I was only able to get through the introduction of the material I had prepared. To be fair I cannot put the blame on the briefness of the time as the reason I only got through the introduction, since I remember countless two hour Institute classes where I got no further than the introduction.

It doesn't seem to matter which mentors we have been exposed to, especially in the area of religious beliefs, we are continually and abundantly exposed to a myopic view of what constitutes salvation and who merits it. We are taught to look through a straw which allows us to see ‘us’ and eliminates ‘them’ from our view.

And there cometh a resurrection, even a first resurrection; yea, even a resurrection of those that have been, and who are, and who shall be, even until the resurrection of Christ—for so shall he be called. And now, the resurrection of all the prophets, and all those that have believed in their words, or all those that have kept the commandments of God, shall come forth in the first resurrection; therefore, they are the first resurrection. They are raised to dwell with God who has redeemed them; thus they have eternal life through Christ, who has broken the bands of death. And these are those who have part in the first resurrection; and these are they that have died before Christ came, in their ignorance, not having salvation declared unto them. And thus the Lord bringeth about the restoration of these; and they have a part in the first resurrection, or have eternal life, being redeemed by the Lord. And little children also have eternal life. (Book of Mormon – Mosiah 15: 21-25)

It seems the Lord would have us look through a scope with very broad perimeters when it comes to those whom He suffered the effects of His Atoning sacrifice to redeem and bring unto everlasting salvation. He presents a vision so expansive that it includes those who were ignorant of His gospel, little children whose minds were still in the bondage of innocence and those of all generations and times.

For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation. (Doctrine and Covenants 82:3)

The more we hear about inclusiveness and are taught to make it a part of our gospel understanding the more we realize that there never was a ‘one shoe fit all’ standard by which all of Heavenly Father’s children will be judged.

There is also little doubt that they who have been blessed with a greater degree of knowledge and understand will be held to a higher standard.

Therefore, we need to understand that the requirements, rules and roadways we see through our rolled up piece of paper, although it applies to us, does not necessarily apply to all those we see when we take the tunneled blinder from our eye.

The Savior has been very clear in letting us know His Atonement was infinite and inclusive both in its depth and its breadth in covering all of Heavenly Father’s children and the variances and lengths of their mortal paths.

One of the questions which has caused me to ponder at times during my life is why, since the Savior has all knowledge, did he not selectively pay His Atoning Sacrifice only for those sins which had been or would be repented of.

Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God; For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him. And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance. (Doctrine and Covenants 18: 10-12)

The only conclusion I have been able to find a degree of satisfaction with is that if He had not suffered for all mankind, one of us lesser beings would come to the conclusion that we were predestined to be damned, because He did not take our sins upon Himself.

For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men. (Doctrine and Covenants 19: 16-19)

The most important conclusion I have come to is that the Savior’s Atonement not only needed to be universal, but also individual in nature. He needed to have a perfect knowledge of every one of Heavenly Father’s sons and daughters. Otherwise, He would be incapable of making the perfect judgements about each of us.

The most assuring words I remember hearing about the absolute fairness of the Savior’s Atonement which uniquely qualified him to universally apply the law of justice were given in conference by President Boyd K. Packer. He stated that none of us know nor understand the vastness of the love of the Lord or the extent of His grace.

THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY

EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

The purpose of Godly sorrow – is no the pain which sears our souls – but – the joy which follows – and – drives us to publish peace!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Having a visitation from an angel – does not necessarily – stimulate permanent movement towards righteousness!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

One of life’s greatest trials may come – when we realize – we must step back – so that others have the opportunity to step forward!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

There will be a day – when joy greatly increases in the world – for the majority rather than the minority of Heavenly Father’s children – probably –because we have become better at listening to the counsel – which comes from living Prophets!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

It is an important practice – to periodically take an inventory of the blessings we have received – because we heed the words of living Prophets!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

We should be grateful – we have living Apostles and Prophets – if for no other reason – than they may be the only link we have to inspiration – in our world which is full of distractions!!

CRINGING

It was in the mid 1970’s at a Northern California Regional YSA/Institute conference in Pacific Grove, California, I first realized I wasn't alone in my concern about testimonial words being borne in situations when peer group pressure and emotions can and often are confused with the feelings generated by the influence of the Holy Spirit.

As the conference was drawing to a close, Elder Boyd K. Packer, who had delivered the keynote address earlier in the week asked if he could say a few words before the scheduled testimonies were to be borne. I suspect his words were deeply meaningful to me because of a preconditioned response I had to such large peer group testimony meetings.

I am sure I have his words written in one of my journals, but for this Thought I will just paraphrase what was seared on my mind that day. ‘I would offer a word of counsel and caution before we begin to share our testimonies with one another. On occasions such as this we are often led by our emotions and are prone to say things of which we might not have received a sure witness. We are often prone to make promises and commitments which we are as yet not prepared to honor or keep. Therefore, I caution you to avoid that temptation and bear witness to those things you know to be true.’

It may have been at a stake Young Women’s girls camp or it might even have been when I was young enough to go camping as a Boy Scout very early in my life, but during my life, as stewardship roles I was called to fulfill put me in visible places where the congregations or classes could easily see my reactions to what was being said at the pulpit, I had to develop a poker face or, if that wasn't sufficient, I at times had to put my head down and cover my face with a hand or two.

I always hoped my cringes weren't noticed, but I was always well aware of what was going on internally in my mind. These facial contortions were usually set off by statements of absoluteness by persons concerning their testimonies.

I have cringed when I have heard:

A young boy scout declare – I know without a shadow of a doubt Joseph Smith is a prophet of God

A sweet young girl at camp proclaim – I know with every fiber of my being that the Book of Mormon is the word of God

A recent return missionary state – These were the two best years of my life and I know I will never stray from activity in the church

A young women before her bouquet has wilted say – I know with all my heart and soul that our marriage is eternal and our love will never end

I don't consider myself to be a negative person, so why would I have face altering reactions when I hear what most people would consider to be sincere declarations of belief?

Then why do I cringe:

We watch and witness half of those scout camp testimony bearing boys become numbered among the less active membership of the church before they turn 18.

We watch and witness a large portion of those sweet young girls bearing solemn testimonies around a camp fire fall from the roles of activity before they graduate from high school.

We watch and witness those young men who declared to have experienced two phenomenal years of life within but a few months having abandoned most of characteristics of those wonder years and giving no thought about bringing others to Christ

We watch and witness hearts shattered and lives broken because solemn marital covenants were forgotten or ignored

Included in my favorite people watching avocation is a segment where I have tried to observe the commonalities of those members of the church who seem from all observable indicators to be enduring to the end.

Observed shared characteristics of the faithful:

A constant desire to more fully understand and live gospel principles

A constant realization of how much understanding and knowledge they lack

A constant guarding against temptations and continual realization of the possibility of the natural man to dominate the spiritual

A constant desire to increase the closeness of their relationships of love and kindness

A constant diligence in lively courtship with their eternal companion

A constant effort to increase the closeness and love they have for and feel from The Savior and Heavenly Father

Observed indicators which subdue cringe reflexes:

The returned missionaries who realize how quickly the missionary spirit can be diluted and, therefore, do all they can to maintain the zeal with which they returned with honor. They maintain at least a semblance of the appearance of one who is representing themselves as a follower of Jesus the Christ. They retain a residue of the Holy Spirit which prompted them to be in a perpetual proselyting mode.

The member of the church who is aware of the culpability of the mortal soul and, therefore, is constantly striving to learn and live as the Lord would have them do. They never deceive themselves into thinking their Crystal Palace of belief is impenetrable. They are always aware of the minuteness of their comprehension and knowledge as it relates to the Omniscience of God.

The young married couple who understand that the beginning of every relationship is built on sandy soil and constantly in danger of being shaken down. They are diligently finding more secure building blocks to stabilize the foundations of their marriage. They never let yesterday’s love levels become the standard of their relationship, but unceasingly strive to find ways of increasing their love for one another. They strive to increase in understanding and practice the concept of oneness.

Warnings from He who knows us best:

Remember – the gate is narrow and the pathway is straight

Remember – the Shepherd will always have sheep which stray

Remember – there is a reason a porter is diligently at the gate

Remember – the adversary will always be sewing tares among the wheat

Remember – be ever watchful that you may endure to the end

I don’t remember it happening during the early years of my career as a teacher in the Church Education System, but I do remember during that 12 year period after Kathleen and I returned from our mission in Colombia we received a yearly lecture/counsel on not being confused about emotional responses to stories related during a lesson necessarily meaning that there had been a powerful spirit in the classroom that day. Reminding us that emotions can be dramatically stirred by reading events in the paper and watching movies. I remember it caused me to reevaluate my presentations in the classroom, where I no longer relied on time tested stories from my files to generate tearful responses, but I centered my efforts on teaching the principles and doctrines of the gospel from the scriptures and words of the living Apostles and Prophets, allowing the Holy Spirit to bring changes in emotions, thoughts and actions in the hearts and lives of the students.

It may be because my days of having a seat in a very observable place in church meetings has ended and I am no longer teaching gospel lessons on a daily basis or it may be that I have become desensitized to cringe causing statements, but these days I catch myself nodding my head and internally saying to myself – ‘time will tell’ – ‘we shall see’ – much more often than cringing or hiding my face.

THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY

EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

There are very clear instructions about the use of electronic devices in the Temple of the Lord – Apostles and Prophets have counseled us about their use in our chapels during meetings – because our chapels are another type of Temple – another place which has been referred to as a Temple is the home – perhaps – we should also counsel together as families about the proper use of these devices in that holy place!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Distractions which keep us from enjoying the comforting companionship of the Holy Spirit – were once found in places we had to deliberately go out of our routine to frequent – and we had to make a deliberate decision to take that detour – but – now modern technology – has given us the ability to have these distractions constantly with us!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

The prophets have described inspiration – as being a still small voice – maybe by this example we could learn – the most important words we speak – should be delivered slowly – clearly – and – softly!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

We have been blessed with articulators – which have important primary functions – but can also be effectually used to help communication take place – when we are lazy in using our lips – tongues – and jaws – in their important secondary use as communicators – our ability to be understood diminishes!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

No one ever benefited – or – grew – from thoughts – which were never expressed!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

: Although the gift of an opposing digit – should be counted as a blessing – wearing it out texting – may result in the loss of more important communication skills!!

SEASONS OF JOY

When the seeds of Spring
Break forth their splendor
And brighten spring days
We behold and call it beautiful

When the sun warms our homes
During Summer’s long days
We lift our faces to it rays
And call it beautiful

When Autumn breezes
Bring cool relief
We partake of bounteous harvest
And call it beautiful

When Winter snows
Blanket the horizon with white
We snuggle in our abodes
And call it beautiful

When our lives have passed
And the blessings of many Seasons
Have brought us happiness and peace
We exclaim and call it beautiful

One of the things which happens when we have the privilege of wearing rose colored glasses most of our lives is that we always have an Ivory Tower as close as our next thought, even though every continent seems to contrive to be continually in contentious conflict.

I wrote the verses which I started this Thought with one Sunday morning while sitting in a Sunday School class and needed to clear my mind of the anti-non-Mormon comments which were being shared. One would think that a gathering of people who call themselves Latter Day Saints would be a refuge where there would be little need for escaping to the Ivory Tower of the mind.

There is little doubt that Elder Maxwell’s hypothesis of every movement of lessening of values that takes place in the world at large, the membership of the church will make a lesser, but corresponding change, has merit.

It is easily understood with the insidious way negative and degrading communication can be spread, why the walls around that section of our makeup where positive and uplifting feelings and expression can be found becomes fortified beyond our ability to put on rose colored glasses, let alone visit our Ivory Towers.

Like any habit, whether good or bad, a good 16 days of concentrated effort can help change our behavior so that good habits can triumph over bad habits. (Something I learned from one of my favorite mentors, Paul H. Dunn, very early in my journey of life)

I will now repeat the verses I started this Thought with and give you permission to use it as often as you would like during the next 16 days or find some other positive thoughts which will help you break down the walls keeping you from your own ivory tower where you will once again enjoy a Pollyanna positive perspective.

When the seeds of Spring
Break forth their splendor
And brighten spring days
We behold and call it beautiful

When the sun warms our homes
During Summer’s long days
We lift our faces to it rays
And call it beautiful

When Autumn breezes
Bring cool relief
We partake of bounteous harvest
And call it beautiful

When Winter snows
Blanket the horizon with white
We snuggle in our abodes
And call it beautiful

When our lives have passed
And the blessings of many Seasons
Have brought us happiness and peace
We exclaim and call it beautiful

May our days be full of splendor, warmth, bounteousness, snuggles, kind thoughts, happiness and peace this day and always is my fervent prayer.

THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY

EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

If we have paid the price – to prepare and communicate our thoughts as clearly and understandably – as we are capable of doing – we lessen our responsibility – for the message others receive!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

If we have paid the price – to prepare a talk or presentation – we must understand – it will lose its value – if it is not communicated intelligibly!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

A few words clearly spoken – are of more value – than volumes – mumbled unintelligibly!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

The understanding, making and keeping of covenants – are essential steps – in becoming one – who is striving to put on the attributes of Godliness!!