So I got a voicemail from Jason today, offering his election condolences, and asking me if I was "mourning the loss of the Republican Party, and wondering if the whole country was going to go down in shambles?" Sorry I didn't get back to you Jason, but this post will be my response. Actually, last night and this morning I was feeling pretty forlorn, being sure that the world would soon be going to Hell in a handbasket. And, I still think it may do, but then in a rare moment of meditation, I had an epiphany, what I would like to think of as a little spiritual prompting to give me some solace. So, I'll share it here with all of you.
As most of you are endowed, you will get my drift. Having recently served a two-month stint as #1 on the I.F. Temple endowment cast, I pretty much have the script memorized. I focus on it in that setting, but I don't often contemplate it out of the blue. This morning was different. I don't know what lead to it, but a certain part of the ceremony just popped into my mind, and I found myself mentally reciting it over and over. You can read the essentials of it in Moses 4, but I'll just synopsize and paraphrase it here to protect the temple version, and still get you to the applicable principle. As with most things in the temple, this is highly symbolic, but of course it thereby makes a powerful point. It relates to the episode where Adam and Eve have succumbed to the Satan's enticement and then admitted their transgression to the Father. He then calls Lucifer onto the scene and gives him a chance to explain himself. Lucifer attempts to minimize his guilt by blaming his actions on tradition, but otherwise directly admits what he has done - even the father of lies knows better than to lie to God. The Father then curses him, equating him with a serpent, a snake, to crawl on his belly and eat dust for eternity. Always having more insolence than brains, Lucifer then arrogantly threatens that if cursed, he will get even by wreaking all sorts of havoc, even to the point of having his followers possess the physical bodies of God's children. To that, the Father suggests the futility of such vengence because He will place enmity between Lucifer and the "Seed of the Woman," a reference which we know refers to Christ, the Savior and the God of this world. Then, again applying the serpant symbol, the Father qualifies that while the applied state of enmity will allow Lucifer sufficient power to bruise the Savior's heel, or in other words, to create some degree of opposition against the Savior's cause, the Savior will have the power to crush the serpent's head, or in other words, to negate his efforts and ultimately bind him for eternity.
That's it, and not knowing why, I mentally recited ver batim the script 2-3 times before I realized what it was supposed to mean to my present concerns. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not suggesting that our new president-elect, nor any of the majority democrat congress represent Satan in any way. I believe that although much of their ideology is misguided, they have good intentions, and I want to give them a chance to do the right things, once they recognize the full gravity of our country's present state. At the least we can hope that the remaining republicans and a mojority of the democrats will sense the need for moderation, to control the more extreme voices of their bodies. I sincerely hope they can turn things around. We should all pray for them, and us in that regard.
However, countering this hope, I concurrently believe that the lack of respect for life, the entitlement mentatlity and the lack of personal accountability that have become so prevalent in our country, and that are so openly promoted by the far left agenda, are in fact Satan's ways. Our country's diminishing dependence on God is certainly Satan's way. I also believe that anything that would challenge our rule of law, our divinely inspired constitution or that would promote socialism is Satan's way. I also believe that any measure that would diminish America's support of Israel is Satan's way (1 Nephi 21:21-22, Mormon 8:21.) I believe these are evil developements, which are a result of Satan's influence on man as he attempts to thwart the Savior's plan. We see increasing levels of these interests among our politcal leaders, both new and old. We see our countrymen's attitudes progressively giving way to these lamentable philosophies and practices, and I have feared that it could ultimately take our country down (Ether 2:8-12.)
So, this is where I've been lately, and I have feared that Satan has been winning. However, my above experience has put it into perspective, and I now see our present circumstance as simply a good heel bruising - we're experiencing a good case of plantar fasciitis - and although it is painful, it will not kill us if at least some of us remain righteous. Ultimately, through His atonement, the Savior will crush the serpent's head. Only the gospel and the atonement can provide that hope.
Dad
HISTORY
A Little History:
Our story begins in Pocatello, Idaho, circa 1972, when the lovely Debby Christensen agreed to a first, though fateful date with admirer, David Croshaw. Long story-short, he bade her follow him, and they went arm-in-arm to the Logan, Utah temple for establishment of an eternal family unit, Generation 1, on May 23 1973.
From their first blissful summer in Salt Lake City, educational pursuits took them to Provo/Orem, Utah, birthplace of Leslie and Rebecca, and to San Francisco/Oakland California, birthplace of Colin and Matt. Then, for establishment of livelihood, expansion of the tribe with Abby and Dana, and for raising/unifying of Generation 2, it was back to the roots in Pocatello for a rewarding sojourn.
In time, driven by a raging, but commonly shared sense of adventure and independence, one-by-one, Generation 2 escaped the homeland to distant regions of the country and the world, each ultimately developing their own tribal expansions by pairing with worthy mates and initiating Generation 3.
Now sensing fulfillment of their purpose in Pocatello, Generation 1 has also left those roots and transplanted to Cascade Idaho, from which base, they anticipate more abundant contact with The Posterity, Generations 2 and 3, in the future. That contact however, awaits fulfillment of a call to LDS missionary service in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, wherein they hope to help the state of the world by sharing the love of Jesus Christ.
So now, including Generation 0 (Grandma and Grandpa Christensen) home base includes Yuma, Arizona, Pocatello, Idaho, Cascade, Idaho, Vancouver, BC, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Spokane, Washington, Boise, Idaho, Los Angeles, California, back to Boise, Idaho, and on and on (Generation 3+) to infinity.
Our Mission Statement:
This is the blog of our eternal family unit. Initiated years ago, it served well as a journal, but even more so, as an archive of our personal interaction. It was a gathering place, a confabulation instrument, a unifying force for four generations of widely dispersed and progressively prolific posterity, and their valued associates. Though it served these purposes well for many years, it eventually took a back seat to new-kids-on-the-block, Facebook, and Instagram, and was sadly forgotten.
We now move to resurrect this blog with an added functional purpose of archiving the missionary experiences of Generation 1, of their movements and activities as they participate with The Gathering of Israel in the land northward. In so doing, we hope that via their own comments and posts, this blog will again serve to gather and unify the posterity and their friends.
As in the past, that the young and vibrant may know the old and tired, that enduring bonds may be fostered and maintained, that experience and encouragement may be openly shared, that posterity may embrace truth, and that hearts may be knit together, we must resist detachment despite our geographic divergence. We shall do so here.
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8 comments:
I have been up since 1:30 and it is about an hour till Matt gets home and I need to pump again so I can go to work, so I felt about 30 minutes ago that I may as well stay up- I am awake now, and I know the foul mood that comes with falling asleep with 15 minutes before I have to get up again.
I felt all last week impending doom. I say that because it is how I felt, only I felt it in either candidate winning. The more I learned about Sara Palin, the more I feared because I feel that McCain is not going to be on this earth long and the very real realization of her as president... well, I will just leave it at that. It won't happen, thank goodness (and as you all know, I am all about women's rights).
Anyway, when Obama won, I was watching the news with my mom (who LOVES Obama) and she refused to believe he had actually won. She kept saying, in the morning, it will magically be McCain. All I could do was sit there in silence, so grateful that racism really is going to be a thing of the past, but really scared about the man of faith who seems to think morals are optional. Now, I think about this a lot- he is all about letting people choose what they want in marriage, child-bearing, etc.- the essentials of life really, and hardcore right wings are all about taking the freedom of various choices away and giving absolute definitions to life, marriage, and family. I know where I stand on these issues, and I will not be swayed. However, I cant help but think about the plans of Christ and Lucifer and how they differed and wonder what it all means in terms of today. We are taught God never changes and I believe that. I just am so conflicted over these feelings. I also know that God is in control and while we (as a country) chose the person who will be president, His hand is present in all things.
There are some things I REALLY like about Obama. Have you sat and listened to any of his speeches? He is so compelling, so determined to help the poor, and so absolutely intelligent and well-spoken. At the same time, that scares me more. I found myself mesmerized during the Democratic Convention speech and only hours afterward, was I like "hey wait! I don't agree with his take at all on these various issues!" It scares me that I was pulled in so easily.
On the other hand, my students were absolutely JOYOUS for the most part in his win. Again, I am sure we could have wonderful conversation as to why- with the way they are raised to accept everything, all choices, lifestyles, etc or risk being called a moron or self-righteous fool. To see the happiness exuding from them touched me and made a very clear impression that I must try to see this for all the good that could come of it. I also need to be very careful about what I say to my daughter. She is very impressionable and not shy about spouting my political view to whomever will listen and that has made for some very uncomfortable moments as I am surrounded by students and accademia- both groups THRILLED with the results.
I do not think evil will abound, but I do think we will all have to really stick to what we believe and be able to back it up now. I feel like I have felt since I was little- the end is near- and recent events that so clearly define for me, morals -v- amorality, has made me even more sure that in my life, ugly, ugly things are going to happen. On my own blog, I have spoken of depressive tendancies in relation to my parenting. In reality, I feel very, very apprehensive for the things that Valerie and Asher will be going through in their lives. I stared for over an hour at Asher's sweet, sleeping face a bit ago overwhelmed with love for him and gratitude to my Heavenly Father for giving our family such a precious, and sweet gift. Then I felt so sad for the things he is going to have to witness and go through. That could be post-partum talking, but I do have real fears for his future. Already, Valerie is fearful for anyone finding out she is mormon at school and that is absolutely heart-breaking... in Charlottesville, I saw the very REAL espousal that anything but a testimony of Christ is acceptable and I fear that this sentiment is being more and more adopted. It has nothing to do with Obama, but in a country in which everything goes, anti-Christian values may very well be not the exception, but the rule.
I don't think that is post pardum talking. Sometimes when I really think about, I get terrified about the day my kids will have to go to school. Yesterday we had a little play group and one of the ladies told us that her 5 year old's friend told her about tounge kissing that an 8 year old had told her about. Can you imagine? It's so horrible. And our kids are going to be at the very heart of it. It scares me so bad. I've always been kind of anti-homeschooling, but I can totally see where people get it from. It makes me want to move back to Idaho before my kids are in school. It seems like a safer place world-wise to me.
Thanks for the response David. Sad to say, but I guess I have to rely on family to be my political barometer. Since I only care about politics one day every 4 years. But I think I need to mention why I am really excited that Obama is in office. He thinks we have better things to spend congress time than investigating steroids in Baseball, and he wants to instiute a college football playoff, enough with the BCS! Now that is using your power.
I remember when Abby, Becky and Leslie came here and we were driving in the car, they were Obama this and McCain that. And I was alone with my thoughts trying to pic a song to hum to myself, because they were not speaking my language.
Did anyone ever think that the political machine is so big slow moving that it doesn't really matter who we have in office, because it is going to take 3 years just to get their platform on the table? Just an ignorant thought on my infant sized political inteligence.
If you are still reading, thanks for viewing my random thoughts.
Jason
Yeah, that's what we need - the president of the US meddling in college football. There would be nothing better than to have grid-lock in Washington (Dem in white house and Republicans in congress or visa versa) so they truly could not get anything done. Then we could all let them beat each other up and we could live in peace. Unfortunately, we now have Democrats in the white house and as majority in congress, so we're likely to see more frequent liberal spending,taxation, and restrictions invading our peace over the next 2-4 years. It may become hard to ignore. But before I get too worked up, let me repeat: I'm going to continue praying for them that they'll do the right things for our country. That's the only say we have at this point.
i'm sorry but bush has got to be the all time leader of the liberal spending agenda.
It's true, mom. What exactly did Bush do for conservatism? In my opinion, Bush's spending is immoral and glutenous.
agreed, but I didn't see any planes flying into buildigs over the past 7 years. He's kept us safe. Poor, but safe.
Dad
That is the one reason I still defend pres Bush, and I think that will be his eventual legacy...
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