One of my favorite passages of scripture is in Mosiah. Chapter 2 verse 17. All of you master scriptorians out there should know what this passage says. Those who don't, pay attention:
And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.
It's a very simple passage that if followed would do more to solve the world problems than anything, and I do mean anything, any government could do. And the funny thing is, as an American under a government "...of the people", why would I ever look to the government to do anything for me in the first place. But I digress.
This past week I had an amazing experience that had a very profound effect on me. It both inspired me to be better and humbled me to the simple joys that come from service. I saw a two year old child's face light up with excitement, at something I take for granted everyday. I saw a mother break down in tears because a few "basics" were provided for her family. And I saw a father do one of the hardest things that a man can ever do, and that is to sacrifice his pride, and accept help that would provide for his family what he could not at that time.
Now, I ask you, Who can do more to stimulate this Great Nation of ours? The President? Congress? Exxon? GE? Al Gore? Labor Unions? the NRA? No.
None of them can. They're not supposed to. Our Government has very little, in all actuality, to do. Protect us from foreign control, protect our God given rights, and to make sure that no one, not even the Government, get in the way of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
It was a funny thing that happened this week. The only thing that limited my experience was that I didn't have any more to give. If I had any credit, I would've used it too, but I didn't. My wife and I make a pretty good living. We have been blessed. I sometimes think that we've been blessed more that we deserve. But It paled in comparison to the inner peace I found in serving my friends. I wonder if congress felt any peace in spending over a trillion dollars the past 8 months. Somehow I doubt it. I think that the difference is, is that this nation was set up to protect our freedom to succeed, no matter how we may define it. It definitely wasn't set up to provide for us everything we need. Health care is not a God given right. Owning a home is not a God given right. Those things are the result of a pursuit of a happiness.
I guess the bottom line is If we really want to stimulate this county and we really want change, then we need to start where it counts. At home. It's a "two-for" Not only do you help someone out but you help yourself too.
well of course congress would get that warm and fuzzy feeling inside because what they gave wasn't theirs to give. you only get that light bulb going off in your head from when you have put something into it. the value of faith with out works is dead. that is why I love our church for instituting that basic function of work. you keep your dignity if you work for what you get. I remember (well actually I don't cause I was too little) but vaguely remember my dad branding horses for the church and working as a picker in their fields so we could receive the much need food from the bishops store house. and though I know that must have really sucked like you said pride wise. you learn something about yourself and in my dads case a skill he wouldn't have other wise acquired.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with ya about Mosiah 2:17, which is why I do what I do, both for a living and in nearly all of my free time...and, while, no, the basic God-given rights don't cover drivers' licenses, home ownership, or health care; I do feel that in structuring a society or setting the tone for what a healthy/productive society is needs to be considerate of needs in those arenas (ok, except the driving thing).but health care is something that I battle with in my work, and I know the argument on both sides backwards and forwards, and they're BOTH completely flawed, so there has to be new visions of waht really can be in terms of offering affordable coverage, what affordable is, what coverage is acceptable and reasonable, come to some sort of compromise on what these health care companies can expect to make in terms of reasonable profits and be able to benefit from their successes...but a bigger axe to grind I have is with the corporate buyouts flaunted shamelessly at the banking industries, the credit lending and collection practices, the legal loansharking and entrapment that pervades and preys upon our entire economy...but the people, thru their inactive role in checking and balancing the government and exercising their moral responsibility to voice their support or displeasure to the point of affecting change or revisions, have sit back and let EITHER of the two parties have their way--and I'm not a proponent of "Big business" or uber-capitalism to the point of ruthlessly exploiting anything for the sake of profitability or simply being able to and get away with it without risk of penalty; but I'm not a huge proponent of bigger government that gives EVERYONE EVERYTHING because the people think that they're entitled to whatever they want because they said so and not lifting a finger to cultivate, support, or contribute to the civic/social/or economical processes....I know I'm probably not gonna be one of your most popular followers, but I truly am more independent at times, more socialist at times, and just a creative/free thinker that believes that solutions can be reached by blending things and envisioning possibilities and eliminating "the box" completely--whose box is it, anyway, and if it doesn't work, just Scrap it and get people talking (like yer doin on this thing) and thinkin, and hopefully they'll start being not afraid to start DOIN....
ReplyDeleteI think Raych is right. Faith leads to action. Whether that's faith in God, faith in country, faith in family, or whatever else. If you believe in something, you MUST be willing to sacrifice for it.
ReplyDeleteIt amazes me how many people honestly believe that their welfare is someone else's responsibility (whether it be the government or the church). There are some that truly believe that they are entitled to assistance and that it's not fair that they be asked to work for it or even to be held accountable for what assistance they are given.
I see this everyday as Elders Quorum president. I handle on average 3-4 welfare cases a month, most of which are from outside the membership. It's by far the most difficult part of my calling because I have to look past the tears and the sad stories and try to discern whether they're honestly in need of some sort of short-term assistance while they get back on their feet, or if they're just looking for a handout. Those that are sincere will ALWAYS keep their commitment to perform some sort of service in exchange for assistance.
I wonder how different this country would be if the government held people accountable in the same way. I don't see any provision in these bailouts for acts of service by these companies in exchange for assistance. If we really want reform, it HAS to start by eliminating this false sense of entitlement and developing a culture of personal responsibility.