Comments on: Back to the small and simple http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/02/24/back-to-the-small-and-simple/ "Hitch your wagon to a star." —Ralph Waldo Emerson Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:39:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0 by: Ben http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/02/24/back-to-the-small-and-simple/#comment-66330 Mon, 03 Mar 2008 04:37:25 +0000 http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/02/24/back-to-the-small-and-simple/#comment-66330 Bethany: Thanks for your comments. :) It does seem so much easier to just get an Alma the Younger-type experience, one fell swoop, without all of the waiting. Maybe the reason we consider the small and simple to be mundane is the impulse buying gene that got grafted into our culture in the last few decades. :) I agree completely that the yoke is easy once you really start living the gospel -- that's the beauty of it. The more you do it, the easier it is to do it. Carly: And thanks for your comments, too. :) I've had a similar experience in typing up my mission journals, seeing how much I trusted in the Lord, how integral the gospel was to everything I did. I miss that. And it's entirely my fault that it's not quite to that level now that I've been home for three and a half years. Some of that has come from a slight lowering of my media standards over that time period -- I was <i>very</i> conservative at first, but over the years I've wondered if I was a bit too Puritan, and so I've watched more of the movies kids my age are watching, read more of the books they read, and listened to more of the music they listen to. And sure, I feel like I fit in more, but I've noticed a <i>definite</i> drop in spirituality. And I think I'll turn this thought into a full blog post sometime soon. :) (No, I'm not always this contemplative. I wish... ;)) Bethany: Thanks for your comments. :) It does seem so much easier to just get an Alma the Younger-type experience, one fell swoop, without all of the waiting. Maybe the reason we consider the small and simple to be mundane is the impulse buying gene that got grafted into our culture in the last few decades. :) I agree completely that the yoke is easy once you really start living the gospel — that’s the beauty of it. The more you do it, the easier it is to do it.

Carly: And thanks for your comments, too. :) I’ve had a similar experience in typing up my mission journals, seeing how much I trusted in the Lord, how integral the gospel was to everything I did. I miss that. And it’s entirely my fault that it’s not quite to that level now that I’ve been home for three and a half years. Some of that has come from a slight lowering of my media standards over that time period — I was very conservative at first, but over the years I’ve wondered if I was a bit too Puritan, and so I’ve watched more of the movies kids my age are watching, read more of the books they read, and listened to more of the music they listen to. And sure, I feel like I fit in more, but I’ve noticed a definite drop in spirituality. And I think I’ll turn this thought into a full blog post sometime soon. :) (No, I’m not always this contemplative. I wish… ;))

]]> by: Carly http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/02/24/back-to-the-small-and-simple/#comment-65876 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 04:46:04 +0000 http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/02/24/back-to-the-small-and-simple/#comment-65876 Ben, Your post has been rumbling around in my head all day--you have such a beautiful way of bringing ideas to life. I'm not quite sure how to respond, although I feel almost compelled to. I was just reading through a stack of letters I wrote to my sister my senior year of high school--her first year of college. I missed her terribly and so became her pen pal, sending off a package of letters every Monday. Anyhow, as I was reading through my 17 year old thoughts from 8 years ago, I found my testimony on almost every page. My love for the Savior, my hope for the future, my excitement for living. I was definitely a sentimental little thing, but it was real nonetheless. It made me think of what you were talking about--the ups and downs. How easily we forget, or obliviously tend to walk along thinking "all is well" while wandering listlessly (to use your words). We forget where we are going or even where we have been. I agree with you that the Sunday School answers are, of course, right. One of the themes of the Book of Mormon is to remember ("O, remember, remember my sons...") Sometimes it feels like those ancient prophets are literally trying to out their hands on my shoulders and shake me awake-to get me to remember what I already know--and to shake off the chains that bind me down, to arise from the dust (even my own dust sometimes), and come forth out of obscurity. To get moving. Anyhow, I think these ideas of yours have everything to do with what you have already been writing about this week (are you always this contemplative?) with how we spend our time. Of course the media influences our ability to "remember"(who we are, what we are capable of, why we are here, and on). Of course the music, books, conversations, movies, that we input will effect our spiritual and even physical well-being. Not that we should throw our hands up at it all completely--that would be foolish too--but be very selective of what we choose to take in. And, as you said, making sure the scriptures are at the top of the list of things we unfailingly fill up on. ok. I think I am just repeating what you already said--sorry. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, they make me want to do and be better. Ben,
Your post has been rumbling around in my head all day–you have such a beautiful way of bringing ideas to life. I’m not quite sure how to respond, although I feel almost compelled to. I was just reading through a stack of letters I wrote to my sister my senior year of high school–her first year of college. I missed her terribly and so became her pen pal, sending off a package of letters every Monday. Anyhow, as I was reading through my 17 year old thoughts from 8 years ago, I found my testimony on almost every page. My love for the Savior, my hope for the future, my excitement for living. I was definitely a sentimental little thing, but it was real nonetheless. It made me think of what you were talking about–the ups and downs. How easily we forget, or obliviously tend to walk along thinking “all is well” while wandering listlessly (to use your words). We forget where we are going or even where we have been. I agree with you that the Sunday School answers are, of course, right. One of the themes of the Book of Mormon is to remember (”O, remember, remember my sons…”) Sometimes it feels like those ancient prophets are literally trying to out their hands on my shoulders and shake me awake-to get me to remember what I already know–and to shake off the chains that bind me down, to arise from the dust (even my own dust sometimes), and come forth out of obscurity. To get moving.

Anyhow, I think these ideas of yours have everything to do with what you have already been writing about this week (are you always this contemplative?) with how we spend our time. Of course the media influences our ability to “remember”(who we are, what we are capable of, why we are here, and on). Of course the music, books, conversations, movies, that we input will effect our spiritual and even physical well-being. Not that we should throw our hands up at it all completely–that would be foolish too–but be very selective of what we choose to take in. And, as you said, making sure the scriptures are at the top of the list of things we unfailingly fill up on.

ok. I think I am just repeating what you already said–sorry. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, they make me want to do and be better.

]]> by: Bethany http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/02/24/back-to-the-small-and-simple/#comment-65811 Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:30:46 +0000 http://www.topofthemountains.net/2008/02/24/back-to-the-small-and-simple/#comment-65811 Ben, I agree more than my current writing skills allow me to express. We (as a people) have yet to tap into the immense power that the scriptures can give. We just don't get that the small and simple (basic and mundane) things are the ones that matter, because they will change us on every level (beginning with the small and simple levels and on up to the most profound). The huge challenge is allowing ourselves to go back to primary. Even nursery if we can. Where we read a scripture aloud and then everyone repeats it. We talk about the words in it--what do they mean? What can we do to obey this verse? And the thing I love about the 3 years olds that I teach is that as soon as they get the concept, they are 100% committed to living it. We talk about what choices we can make that will bring us closer to Heavenly Father, and the ones that will take us further away. And they don't have to stop and consider which ones they want, they already know. My one concern (and I've noticed this a lot lately) is that we keep teaching how it is so <i>hard</i> to live the gospel. We must do it, but it's just hard. And what I truly believe is that is it easy! The Savior meant it, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light." Of course, easy now has a new synonym in the world: without effort. And that is certainly not what He meant, or what I mean. But when we do the small, simple things, when we let go of Babylon and when we let the Lord in, life is easy. At least, a whole lot easier than constantly "kicking against the pricks" mired in confusion. I feel so strongly about the scriptures though, and the power of prayer. We think that these are basic principles (and they are in the sense that a three year old can learn then), but the apostles of Jesus Christ use the very same scriptures and prayer that we have, and they have learned how to tap into the power they contain. Thanks for bring this up to the front of my mind, I've been considering it lately and I definitely had some ideas that I'm glad to have fleshed out here. Happy day! All <i>is</i> well! Ben,

I agree more than my current writing skills allow me to express. We (as a people) have yet to tap into the immense power that the scriptures can give. We just don’t get that the small and simple (basic and mundane) things are the ones that matter, because they will change us on every level (beginning with the small and simple levels and on up to the most profound).

The huge challenge is allowing ourselves to go back to primary. Even nursery if we can. Where we read a scripture aloud and then everyone repeats it. We talk about the words in it–what do they mean? What can we do to obey this verse?

And the thing I love about the 3 years olds that I teach is that as soon as they get the concept, they are 100% committed to living it. We talk about what choices we can make that will bring us closer to Heavenly Father, and the ones that will take us further away. And they don’t have to stop and consider which ones they want, they already know.

My one concern (and I’ve noticed this a lot lately) is that we keep teaching how it is so hard to live the gospel. We must do it, but it’s just hard. And what I truly believe is that is it easy! The Savior meant it, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Of course, easy now has a new synonym in the world: without effort. And that is certainly not what He meant, or what I mean. But when we do the small, simple things, when we let go of Babylon and when we let the Lord in, life is easy. At least, a whole lot easier than constantly “kicking against the pricks” mired in confusion.

I feel so strongly about the scriptures though, and the power of prayer. We think that these are basic principles (and they are in the sense that a three year old can learn then), but the apostles of Jesus Christ use the very same scriptures and prayer that we have, and they have learned how to tap into the power they contain.

Thanks for bring this up to the front of my mind, I’ve been considering it lately and I definitely had some ideas that I’m glad to have fleshed out here.

Happy day! All is well!

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