"Man Down"

I was just reading President Henry B. Eyring's talk from April's General Conference as I worked out on my elliptical. (Yes, I like to strengthen my spirit as I'm strengthening my body. =) ) His talk, "Man Down" was given in the Priesthood session of Conference so I hadn't heard it until now. Obviously, it is directed at the priesthood but its principles are applicable to everybody. It speaks of how we have the responsibility to help each other when a fellow brother (or sister) has or is suffering from spiritual wounds in this ongoing battle between good and evil. It is an excellent talk but the funny thing is that as I felt of the love that we must have for each other, I suddenly had a personal insight into the parable of the vineyard- which isn't even mentioned. As a young girl and even as an adult, I still had a hard time understanding why those that came into the vineyard at the eleventh hour would receive the same pay as those that had been laboring in the vineyard all day. Now I know why! The answer is love. The Lord loves all of us equally and what He cares about is that we end up working in the vineyard at all. He doesn't care how long we've been there- just that we finally humble ourselves sufficiently to submit to the Lord's will and voluntarily become servants of the Lord. I always knew that part, I guess- that we are all His children so He loves us all the same. However, as a person that is hopelessly bound to a quest for fairness, I couldn't understand how that would be "fair" to those that had labored all day. But as I felt of the love that I have for my family and friends, and even those that I don't know, I realized a few things. First, I wouldn't care at all, in fact, I would be overjoyed if someone I loved finally joined me in serving in the vineyard- no matter how long it took. I wouldn't be upset that my brother received the same reward in the end. I would just be so happy that he was there. I love him so much that I would want him to have everything the Lord has in store for him. Second of all, there is no happiness outside of the vineyard. So, in all truth, the situation really is "fair". Those that labor in the vineyard are experiencing joy all along as they serve the Lord. Those that choose to follow the ways of the world are not getting the better deal! I guess I am beginning to really shed the natural man. I remember once upon a time having the feeling that those that are converts have it great- they get to "play" around until in their adulthood they join the church. I had it all wrong! True joy and happiness is found in the service of the Lord. So, although everyone receives the same reward in the end- eternal life- those that have been serving in the vineyard all day will have been experiencing joy all along. On the other hand, those that did not come into the vineyard until the final hour, will have missed out on all of those joyful experiences in exchange for a small amount of "fun" laden with a large amount of heartache- the true "rewards" of the world. What a beautiful insight. I am so grateful to my Father in Heaven and the sweet whisperings of the Spirit that continue to teach and refine my imperfect soul.

1 Nephi 3:31

I read 1 Nephi 3 today and there are many jewels of doctrine in that chapter. Today, the thing that struck me most was the very end. I always thought it was crazy that Laman & Lemuel were afraid of a man that could "command fifty, yea, even he can slay fifty"- especially after they had just seen an angel of God. Fifty??? Heavenly Father certainly has the power to do far greater things than that! But I know that there has to be some application of that in my own life. Where do I fear man more than God. Where do I care more about what my friends or the world thinks than what God thinks? Perhaps in the way I dress, my nice house, my car, my "perfect" children, "perfect" marriage? Am I worried more about my image, what the world sees, than what is inside? Certainly there are times that I am. I know that sometimes I am seeking happiness in the world when I know that God has the power to grant me all the happiness I desire- sustaining, lasting happiness for eternity.