Birthday Swine

Happy Birthday to ME! Opening my scriptures I wondered what gift the Lord had prepared. My favorite - chastisement.

3 Ne 14:6 Give not that which is Holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn again and rend you later. 

My definition of swine has always turned to those opposing the church. My time on Quora has lead me into some conversations with the "opposition". Turns out they do trample my ideas and turn to rend me. Ouchie.

Then I discover that the D and C expands swine's definition. To include me, gosh darnit.

D&C 41:5-6 He that saith he receiveth (my law) and doeth it not, the same is not my disciple, and shall be cast out from among you. For it is not meet that the things which belong to the children of the kingdom should be given to them that are not worthy, or to dogs, or the pearls to be cast before swine.

Anyone who receives the law but doesn't do it - all of them are swine. Oh my heart groans at the number of times I've done just that. Shall I detail the times in callings, counsel, covenants? I shall not. I shall curl in a ball on my bed and feel bad about it.

Does getting promptings count as receiving the law? Yes? Oh, more groans and moans. Oh how many times was I to reach out, follow through, say. I curl in a tighter ball and feel bad.

I'm sorry for being piggish, porcine, swinish, piggy, smug, boorish, disgusting. I'm sorry for all the times I have been a swine.

Hidden Treasure

GMatthew 13:44. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

I love this scripture because it describes a pivotal time in my past. When I had gone the furthest from the church I hope I ever go I learned the church is true. The church contained treasure. What was I to do? I wasn't in the body of the Saints. Looking back I can't believe what a bold move I took. I honored this new truth, I turned from the desires of that life and became as Mormon as I could. I bought the field. Basically I went to church and scowled a lot. I expected to be turned out, my friends warned me I be unwelcome, but I found respect and brotherly love. I found guidance and aid in the new direction I'd chosen.

For me the field contained more than treasure. I found a place to plant seeds of faith and cultivate miracles. I've harvested such a variety of blessings like fellowship, social skills, refinement, opportunities to serve. Mormonism has given me the tools to connect with heaven, then grow and expand that connection. Eventually I found my Savior and the power of the atonement opened to heal me, soften me, find righteous desires.

Sell all. Sell it all. It doesn't matter. Leave it behind. Buy into Mormonism. Go to church, scowl and seek. It. Is. Totally. Worth. It.