Wednesday, October 31, 2012

A Great Slaughter

Reading:   Alma 27-29

Today is Halloween and therefore it was convenient that the reading was an account of a tremendous battle that reaped death upon the combatants greater then ever before seen among the people...

ALMA 28:2-3,11-12

2    And thus there was a tremendous battle; yea, even such an one as never had been known among all the people in the land from the time Lehi left Jerusalem; yea, and tens of thousands of the Lamanites were slain and scattered abroad. 

3    Yea, and also there was a tremendous slaughter among the people of Nephi; nevertheless, the Lamanites were driven and scattered, and the people of Nephi returned again to their land. 

11    And the bodies of many thousands are laid low in the earth, while the bodies of many thousands are moldering in heaps upon the face of the earth; yea, and many thousands are mourning for the loss of their kindred, because they have reason to fear, according to the promises of the Lord, that they are consigned to a state of endless wo. 

12    While many thousands of others truly mourn for the loss of their kindred, yet they rejoice and exult in the hope, and even know, according to the promises of the Lord, that they are raised to dwell at the right hand of God, in a state of never-ending happiness

"...Bodies of many thousands are moldering in heaps upon the face of the earth," wow!  So the stench must have been horrifying.  In fact, when Ammonihah was destroyed it become known as the land of desolation because no one would go there (the odor of death so heavy in the air and all). How then, did the Nephites deal with the odor of death from this battle? Especially considering it had a greater girth of death than any battle up till then.  Definitely ranks up there in gruesomeness (I said rank, haha).

Okay, so Halloween theme aside, the great slaughter and loss of life on both sides was cause for great mourning and yet, in verse 12, we see that the people, "...exult in hope."  Piles of bodies line the fields, not one family escaped without feeling the loss of someone close, and the smell must certainly be a constant reminder; but, they exult in hope and mourn the loss while understanding that their dead were with God, "...in a state of never-ending happiness." That is awesome!

~Kipling

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

I know that I am nothing...

Reading:   Alma 25-26

Who am I?  What am I doing?  Am I anywhere near the person I thought or expected I'd be when I was young...I look at my children, their future, the brightness in their eyes and the joy that they find in life - yes, they are teenagers and believe the world is at their fingertips, or at a flip of a switch, that life is out to get them, the extremes of that age.  Everything is so vast in their world and yet they don't see what I see.  They don't understand that I too was where they are - the world in front of me.  I want to protect them from the bad, the roads that I have traveled and hope to steer them from.  I want to guide them and tell them everything will be okay.

I look at where I am now, time slipping, and often feel the weight of failure closing in, goals not met, achievements not crested and glories not won.  Who am I?

My parents no doubt look at me and think, "Everything is so lost and frustrating in his world and yet he doesn't see what we see.  He doesn't understand that we too were where he is - failure and regret in front of us.  He can't see what we see, the man that he is, the father and husband, brother and son.  How can we feel failure or regret seeing who he is, seeing our boys and girls, who they each have become.  We want to shake him and wake him from the blindness of his sight and promise him that all will be okay."

I'm sure my parents too have moments of sadness when life lays bare wrong choices they have made, missteps, and errors in judgement.  I'm sure thoughts swirl in them, as they do in me, and they too see time slipping and question, "Who am I?"

Heavenly Father looks at my parents and with yearning says, "They do not see what I see, the goals they have met, the achievements crested, the Glory they have won.  My heart is filled with their good works.  I love them and I know who they are!"

....................

Where did that heavy intro come from? Let me explain...Today I read about the sons of Mosiah discussing the wonders of what they had accomplished.  Aaron cautions Ammon about boasting and Ammon replies...

ALMA 26:12

12    Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever. 

So, the words, "I know that I am nothing" have been burning a hole in my thoughts ever since I read the verse (around 2:00 PM).  I haven't been able to shake it.  The idea of who I am and what I have accomplished etc. Ultimately, the thought of being a teenager, of my parents once being where I am right now (desperately trying to hold on to whatever faith I have while trying to make ends meet and keep my teenagers from falling off cliffs they aren't even aware they are walking towards), and that my parents now, in the grandparent years, well, all of us are as Ammon said, "nothing," in ourselves, but everything in the strength of God?  We are His children, here, in this probationary state of existence, for the sole purpose of learning, growing, and helping one another to return to Him.

I am a parent.  I have four amazing children in my stewardship.  Luckily, I also have an incredible wife to share in this stewardship, this gift of parenthood. Who am I to doubt my accomplishments and place in this world.  If I do nothing more than raise these kids and teach them what I know of God then so be it - I know that I will be embraced and welcomed in Glory for that simple miracle...

~Kipling

Monday, October 29, 2012

Buried all the Weapons?


Reading:   Alma 22-24

Okay, back to some great battles! Chapter 24 is the greatest onesided battle ever...

Aaron preaches to the Lamanites and they are converted much like the Lamanites converted by Ammon - the king even passes out in a dead-like state.  Anyway, the people lay down their weapons, actually bury them, so as not to be tempted to shed blood ever again, and saying, "... if our brethren destroy us, behold, we shall go to our God and shall be saved (Alma 24:16)."

A number of the Lamanites in surrounding regions (mostly Amalekites and Amulonites) are angry about their cousins new found love of God and decide to retaliate with war.  They come in hordes to destroy the people...who have changed their name to Anti-Nephi-Lehi...and find them on their knees, weapon less, on the battlefield praying....

ALMA 24:22-24, 26

22    And thus without meeting any resistance, they did slay a thousand and five of them; and we know that they are blessed, for they have gone to dwell with their God. 

23    Now when the Lamanites saw that their brethren would not flee from the sword, neither would they turn aside to the right hand or to the left, but that they would lie down and perish, and praised God even in the very act of perishing under the sword- 

24    Now when the Lamanites saw this they did forbear from slaying them; and there were many whose hearts had swollen in them for those of their brethren who had fallen under the sword, for they repented of the things which they had done. 

26   And it came to pass that the people of God were joined that day by more than the number who had been slain; and those who had been slain were righteous people, therefore we have no reason to doubt but what they were saved. 

What can be said other than, "Unbelievable!!"  Over a thousand murdered without giving up the least bit of fight and then over a thousand of the murderers repenting on the very site of the slaughter and converting to God's church.  Insane - I love it!  "...thus we see that the Lord worketh in many ways to the salvation of his people (Alma 24:27)."  Indeed...

~Kipling

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Abish (my next novel)

Reading:   Alma 13-21

I love historical fiction and discovering the back stories of characters in history.  Now there is definitely some author license used to fill in the blanks, still, books like Killer Angels and other war novels (Michael and Jeff Shaara), the Century Trilogy (Ken Follett) and all of the Richard Sharp series (Bernard Cornwell) are fascinating and entertaining.  I even find over-the-top historical fiction like, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Slayer and Unholy Night (both by Seth Grahame-Smith) fun when they incorporate real events and characters to tell a fictional tale.  So, that in mind, I would love to write a novel about Abish.  Who is Abish?  Her name is mentioned only once in all the scriptures but her tale is fascinating and leads to a fantastic outcome!

Okay, lead up, Ammon (one of the sons of Mosiah that ran around with Alma being a punk until they were all converted by an angel) is on a mission to the Lamanites and has taught king Lamoni (king over the land of Ishmael) about God and their ancestors and the coming of Jesus...Lamoni eventually falls to the ground seemingly dead.  After a few days he wakes and is preached to some more and again falls down seemingly dead.  Lamoni's wife, the queen, also falls down, dead-like, having believed the words of Ammon as well.  All the servants fall, likewise in the spirit, dead-like, to the ground and even Ammon, exceedingly overcome with the power of God in his own preaching, falls prostrate to the Earth. Only one person in the whole place does not find herself overcome and dead-like on the ground, Abish.

ALMA 19:16-17

16    And it came to pass that they did call on the name of the Lord, in their might, even until they had all fallen to the earth, save it were one of the Lamanitish women, whose name was Abish, she having been converted unto the Lord for many years, on account of a remarkable vision of her father- 

17    Thus, having been converted to the Lord, and never having made it known, therefore, when she saw that all the servants of Lamoni had fallen to the earth, and also her mistress, the queen, and the king, and Ammon lay prostrate upon the earth, she knew that it was the power of God; and supposing that this opportunity, by making known unto the people what had happened among them, that by beholding this scene it would cause them to believe in the power of God, therefore she ran forth from house to house, making it known unto the people. 

So multitudes of people show up and began arguing about why it was this great calamity had happened and who was to blame and blah blah blah.  Abish is obviously distraught because this was not the affect she was hoping to impose upon the people...

ALMA 19:28-29

28    And thus the contention began to be exceedingly sharp among them. And while they were thus contending, the woman servant who had caused the multitude to be gathered together came, and when she saw the contention which was among the multitude she was exceedingly sorrowful, even unto tears. 

29    And it came to pass that she went and took the queen by the hand, that perhaps she might raise her from the ground; and as soon as she touched her hand she arose and stood upon her feet, and cried with a loud voice, saying: O blessed Jesus, who has saved me from an awful hell! O blessed God, have mercy on this people! 

So everyone wakes up and testifies about the glory of God and the kingdom within the land of Ishmael is converted, awesome!  So who is Abish?  This next part is taken from a conference talk...

In the Book of Mormon, Abish was converted by her father's sharing with her his remarkable vision. For many years thereafter, she kept her testimony in her heart and lived righteously in a very wicked society. Then the time came when she could no longer be still, and she ran from house to house to share her testimony and the miracles she had witnessed in the king's court. The power of Abish's conversion and testimony was instrumental in changing an entire society. The people who heard her testify became a people who "were converted unto the Lord, [and] never did fall away," and their sons became the stripling warriors! (Elaine S. Dalton, Young Women General President, 2011 October General Conference).

Wouldn't a story about this remarkable woman be great?  She keeps quiet, never passing on to anyone her great testimony of God and the words spoken to her from her father (and who was he? Another great tale we are missing), and then, on a day when everyone around her falls to the earth in a deathlike trance, she runs from door to door shouting her testimony and baring her soul to all...WOW...and a society changes - changes forever.  I've got to write this story!  Everyone cross your fingers that I become miraculously wealthy soon, real soon, and can do that which I most desire in all the world....to write for a living!

Someday Abish will become a reality - believe it!

Oh, by-the-way, I finally caught up with my reading and am officially on day 40 of 90...

~Kipling

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Lake of Fire and Brimstone!

Reading:   Alma 11-12

Alma has returned to Ammonihah, after being rudely rejected in his preaching and then being sent back by an angel (the same angel that struck him dumb back in the day of his being a hater with the sons of Mosiah).  Amulek, a wealthy prominent member of the city, invites him to his house and feeds him because he too was visited by an angel and told that he would meet a man of God.  They eventually go out to preach amongst the people and come across Zeezrom, an oily man of words,  who attempts to catch Amulek in a lie.  Amulek succeeds in answering all of his questions and even rebukes Zeezrom when he offers him a lot of money to deny God (funny because the entire Nephite monetary system is explained in order to get the Zeezrom rebuking incident understood (Alma 11:4-19)).  Anyway, finally, Alma steps in to finish the man off and goes on to explain the difference between temporal death (physical) and spiritual death...

ALMA 12:16-17

16    And now behold, I say unto you then cometh a death, even a second death, which is a spiritual death; then is a time that whosoever dieth in his sins, as to a temporal death, shall also die a spiritual death; yea, he shall die as to things pertaining unto righteousness. 

17    Then is the time when their torments shall be as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever; and then is the time that they shall be chained down to an everlasting destruction, according to the power and captivity of Satan, he having subjected them according to his will. 

Spiritual death is the death of things pertaining to righteousness.  A death we experience after we die physically, a death that comes from judgement, from our evil works.  If we physically die in our captivity, in our "captivation" to the devil, then we reap the reward of this work which is described in verse 17 as a "lake of fire and brimstone" and being "chained down to everlasting destruction."  Now, a lot of folks believe that the "lake of fire and brimstone" is literal, that we will burn physically forever, but this is not the case, it is a simile.  The beginning of the verse clears that up, "Then is the time when their torments shall be as..." comparing two items, the real with its likeness.  That which has us captivated in this life shall be a chain dragging us down to everlasting destruction.

The Prophet Joseph Smith said: "A man is his own tormentor and his own condemner. ... The torment of disappointment in the mind of man [or woman] is as exquisite as a lake burning with fire and
brimstone." (Deseret News, 8 July 1857, 138)

Wake up! We all need to acknowledge our chains and loose our bonds.  We cannot suffice temporal
addictions after death and will be tormented by our desire to do so...need a smoke, need that porn fix,
how about another drink or whatever, wake up! Spiritual death is not the glory I hope to reap...

~Kipling

Friday, October 26, 2012

Acknowledge your Captivation

Reading:   Alma 6-10

The interesting thing today is the contrast of deliverance and captivation...

ALMA 9:28

28    Therefore, prepare ye the way of the Lord, for the time is at hand that all men shall reap a reward of their works, according to that which they have been-if they have been righteous they shall reap the salvation of their souls, according to the power and deliverance of Jesus Christ; and if they have been evil they shall reap the damnation of their souls, according to the power and captivation of the devil. 

From Merriam-Webster: The act of delivering someone or something as opposed to being influenced or dominated by some special charm, art, or irresistible trait.  Question is: Does the devil have a special charm or irresistible trait?  Yes, and that charm is specific to each of us. What face do you see? Is it money, sex, sports, politics, cars, movies, exercise, what charms you?  What entices you?  What is it that captivates you...figure that out and the deliverance part might be able to help but only, only, if you can recognize the charmer that has you captured.  Trust me, all these items can lead to enslavement!  

So then, according to the scripture, we shall reap the reward of our work.  What is your work...is it an accumulation of your addiction - whatever it is that has you motivated during the day may be inspired by the captivation of the devil and if it is, acknowledge it and let The Lord deliver you so that you might reap your reward for "good" works...

~Kipling

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Face to Face

Reading:   Alma Chapters 1-5

I've got to tell you, the first few chapters of Alma are quite impressively full of wars and contentions and mass bloodshed.  One of my favorite warriors, Gideon, is killed by Nehor (Alma 1:9), yes he was old and way past his fighting days with Alma in the land of Helam, and though I am sure he gave the pompous Nehor a good fight, it was still sad to see him go.  I'll be honest though, what better way for a warrior to die than by the sword and in a fight defending the very God he would shortly meet, well, all the better, right?

Okay, on to another great fight...Alma versus Amlici...so, thousands upon thousands upon thousands are dying in this battle and somehow Alma the younger (chief judge and high priest of the Nephites) meets up with Amlici (leader of the Amlicites) and they contend mightily with each other....

ALMA 2:29-31

29 And it came to pass that Alma fought with Amlici with the sword, face to face; and they did contend mightily, one with another.

30 And it came to pass that Alma, being a man of God, being exercised with much faith, cried, saying: O Lord, have mercy and spare my life, that I may be an instrument in thy hands to save and preserve this people.

31 Now when Alma had said these words he contended again with Amlici; and he was strengthened, insomuch that he slew Amlici with the sword.

Now, I don't like this just because of the intense battle and unlikelyhood of these two actually meeting face to face, poetic as that is, I like it because of the simple statement in verse 30, "Alma...being exercised with much faith."  This rings out loud for me!  The word "exercised" is poignant here because it notes an application of work to improve.  When I exercise by lifting weights,  punching a body bag, jumping rope, or jogging (yeah I don't do that one), or any type of repetitive action - I am performing a task to improve myself.  So, what I'm hearing here is that Alma was practiced in his faith, confident in his faith, he had prayed to God so often it was a type of muscle memory, he was vastly exercised and slew Amlici as an instrument of God.

Keep in mind that Alma, not 10 years earlier, was preaching against the church with the sons of Mosiah.  So there was an extreme about face and a heavy dose of repentance, study, and humility that had to come to bear in his life - he had to seriously exercise!

Even as a young man when I wanted desperately to learn karate, boxing, judo, anything to make me tougher, even then, I would sometimes ponder about the power of God...I mean, if I had begun exercising my faith like I had done with boxing, basketball, dating, football, etc., who could defeat me?  I could stand in the ring with the greatest warriors, a battle royal of the most powerful men of every discipline, including weaponry, and by exercising my faith (my weapon, my skill, my practiced ability), all would be vanquished.  Powerful stuff and hey, its not too late...

~Kipling

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Omni is the man!

Reading: 1 Nephi - Mosiah 29

So there is no way I am going to attempt to recap everything, watch the movie or go to church or simply read it yourself and catch up! However; I do want to point out one bit that really caught my eye and gave me a new found respect for a little known scribe, Omni...here is a guy that wrote three whole verses and yet I love their simplicity and ultimately what they say about Omni as a person....

Omni 1:1-3

Behold, it came to pass that I, Omni, being commanded by my father, Jarom, that I should write somewhat upon these plates, to preserve our genealogy—

Wherefore, in my days, I would that ye should know that I fought much with the sword to preserve my people, the Nephites, from falling into the hands of their enemies, the Lamanites. But behold, I of myself am a wicked man, and I have not kept the statutes and the commandments of the Lord as I ought to have done.

And it came to pass that two hundred and seventy and six years had passed away, and we had many seasons of peace; and we had many seasons of serious war and bloodshed. Yea, and in fine, two hundred and eighty and two years had passed away, and I had kept these plates according to the commandments of my fathers; and I conferred them upon my son Amaron. And I make an end.

So here is a self proclaimed, "wicked man" who has not kept the commandments of the Lord and yet he fought numerous battles to preserve his people and held on to the record of his people, despite his failings as a man, and even conferred the record upon his son no doubt extolling the importance of it with great reverence.  Why?  He must have had a testimony, a faith building experience that gave him a core belief in God and a desire to do as his father, Jarom, had asked. 

Omni is a great man and an example of a warrior and faithful being despite his failings!

~Kipling

GENESIS of the Kipling Blog

So, about a month ago, I decided to strengthen my non-visible armor. I found myself increasingly wallowing in the dark corridors of self doubt, loathing, and even dabbling in the mists of depression...my self esteem was slipping ever closer to nothing and I had to take action. I'm not going to thrill you with the details of this slow demise of me but will say this, "mind your business and read on."

How does one increase non-visible armor? Quite simply, it depends on the person, but for me it began with a basic notion of faith. I may not fit the stereotypical mold, or even the outskirts of the mold, of a faithful Latter-Day-Saint (yes Mormon) but I am one - to the core. So, that in mind, I decided to do what is taught all Christians of any denomination - read the scriptures. I chose The Book of Mormon to start this journey and on Tuesday, September 18, 2012, I plotted out a plan to finish the book by years end (approximately 3 chapters a day). I am proud to say I am currently on day 36 of 90 and have not missed a single day of reading. There have been days when I only managed a verse but, for the most part, I have maintained the schedule and hope to press on.

Now, have I been blessed by my diligence? Not outwardly, in other words I'm not in better physical shape and my earning hasn't increased, in fact, the only real "blessings" are additional trials and burdens (adding greatly to my psychological fun) but; I do know that my inner demons, my quick temper, my irrational anxiety, these types of things have been noticeably lightened. Yes, life is stressful but inside it seems I am coping much better. My non-visible armor is thickening!

Okay, so the reading experiment is proving positive and therefore...during a particularly long drive one day...I started brainstorming ways to help my wife and kids with this tool. Yes, we (the royal "we" meaning everyone) talk and preach and constantly say, "read the scriptures" but how often do we really do it? So how do I help my family and continue to read on myself...knowing that more physical pitfalls are waiting just around the bend...well, as you can see, I love to write. So, I thought, why not select a particularly interesting scripture from my daily reading and text or email it to my wife and kids - that way I'm including the family in something I am doing and providing them with a simple tool to strengthen their own non-visible armor. I firmly believe that reading even the smallest scripture still invokes a sense of faith, even a remembrance of spiritual things, in every reader, and therefore adds a bit of positivity and hope into the bleakest of days - so what could it hurt right? I spoke with the kids, teenagers mind you who don't have time for anything, and Angela, the darling wife, and all seemed willing.

Problem: How do I explain or discuss the selected verse in any type of way within the confines of a text and do I really want to be ignored like all those pic-a-day, joke-a-day, email type nuisances? There is no way around the being ignored thing, they will read it if they choose to, but I can avoid the nagging nuisance of a daily pinch by creating a blog that will have to be accessed. My kids all have phones with web browsing capability and can check out Dad's blog from anywhere (most likely the bathroom right, they certainly aren't reading the Ensign or New Era in there).

Right then, a blog it is! So, in order to keep myself reading and provide that bit-o-armor to my family I will do my utmost to blog a scripture every day (a little Kipling blah blah-blah-blah included). And if others choose to join and converse along the way so-be-it! 5-minutes to strengthen your non-visible armor daily...what could be easier? Like spiritual push ups - we all win!

Actually, it's the only gain without pain available!

~Kipling