Faith - Food for Thought

Let us operate under the assumption that everything we do, we do as a matter of faith. Because that is a true principle. Joseph Smith wrote: "If men were duly to consider themselves, and turn their thoughts and reflections to the operations of their own minds, they would readily discover that it is faith, and faith only, which is the moving cause of all action, in them; that without it, both mind and body would be in a state of inactivity, and all their exertions would cease, both physical and mental."

So it is that everything we do, we do in faith. Think about that for a minute. Why do we drive down the road? We have faith that it leads to our destination. Why do we go to work? We have faith that we will get paid. Why do we have children? We have faith that they will grow, progress, and fulfill the measure of their creation.

But let's hone it down to something simpler than that...

Why do we breathe? Why do we take that next breath?

Faith.

In reality, it's the perfect example. We breathe because we need air (or oxygen, if you want to be more precise, I suppose). What is the definition of faith we were taught in Primary and continue to recite our entire lives? "Faith is a belief in things which are not seen, which are true."

It is true that air is all around us. It is true that we cannot see it (unless you live in Northern Utah in the winter. Then it's pretty apparent).  So then, why do we take that next breath? It's an automatic, unconscious act of faith. We believe that we will be rewarded on our exercise of faith by receiving a lungful of sweet, life-giving air.

We have done it enough, with the same effect, that it has become a rote, subconscious habit that we don't even think about.

But, it is faith, nevertheless.

So when the Savior said "verily I say unto you, If ye have ^bfaith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this ^cmountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be ^dimpossible unto you. (Matt. 17:20), we need to take heed of the size of that faith. But not for the reason you might think.

Often, we confuse the parables relating to mustard seeds. At least, we've been taught that way through the years. We've confused the parable of the sower, who plants the little mustard seed and it grows to a big tree, with the actual parable of the mustard seed, which I quoted above. 

Note that no reference to the size of the faith is actually made in the parable I quote. We've worked in the size of the thing over time, and we've had repeated stories pounded into our brain about having tiny faith (translated: unbelief).

The fact of the matter is, any faith AT ALL is sufficient to move the mountain. There is no minimum size requirement. It either is, or it isn't. 

How big is the faith required to take the next breath? 

How big is the faith required to move that mountain?

How big is the faith required to summon an angel?

Think about that...

Topic of the day: Music and Church

Today I attended church in a ward I have never been to before, and hold no plan to attend again. I was there in capacity of supporting a friend who was speaking there. As I entered the chapel, I noticed that this building was equipped with an actual pipe organ. I counted a dozen large wooded pipes, six on either side of the center fixture, which featured, by my count, at least 75 steel pipes arranged in a typical fashion, smallest to largest. I looked forward to what I would hear from that organ, being an organist myself.

As the meeting commenced, we started, as we always do, with an opening hymn. On this day, the hymn was "Our Mountain Home so Dear." As we started to sing, we slipped into a steady, slow, dreary rhythm that has become the hallmark of LDS music today.

Folks who know how to read music understand that there is a designation on the top left of the sheet music indicating how the composer intended for the piece to be played/sung, and a suggested pace for the song. For this particular hymn, the notation indicated that the hymn should be played at 84-96 beats per minute. A decent, but not breathless, clip.

I pulled out my metronome app on my iPhone (yes, I know, stop playing with your phone in church!), and timed it out-- just under 60 beats per minute. Dreary.

The other hymns followed suit. "I Stand All Amazed" took about ten minutes to get through, as did the closing "We Will Sing of Zion."

Additionally, all three songs were "registered" the exact same way, which is to say, the organist opened the same few stops on the organ for all three songs, leaving out any expression, boldness or joy that should accompany hymns to the Lord.

Which is what hymns are, after all. The Lord said, in revelation to Emma Smith: "And it shall be given thee, also, to make a selection of sacred hymns, as it shall be given thee, which is pleasing unto me, to be had in my church. For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads." (D & C 25: 11-12)

The song of the righteous is a prayer unto the Lord. So, when we pray, do we drone our many thanks and blessing requests and salutations as though we were reciting our times tables, or do we "cry" unto the Lord as we have been instructed to do? Nephi, the Brother of Jared, and many other prophets did set us an example of "crying" unto the Lord. We are instructed "Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support: yea, let all they doings be unto the Lord..." (Alma 37:36).

To me, "crying" unto the Lord indicates deep feeling, emotion and purpose. It indicates humility and a willingness to seek the counsel of the Lord, and abide by that counsel.

"Crying," when equated to church music, means that we need to infuse life into our hymns. Music in many of our wards, and in much of our worship, has come to such dreariness that it must offend the gods when we sing The Spirit of God as though we just woke from a Nyquil-induced three-hour afternoon nap.

Let us cry unto the Lord when we sing, or perform, music and hymns in our homes, in our meetings, and in our worship. Are the doctrines sacred? Absolutely. Are the messages spiritual? Yes. Is singing in church and in worship designed to teach lessons, help us grow, and to feel the teaching hand of the Spirit? Without question.

BUT, does it say anywhere, in any scripture or teaching, that it must be toned down to a point of inducing coma? NO. NO NO NO.

"...Praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving." (D & C 136:28).

Singing, music dance. Praise and Thanksgiving. We ought to be as the heavenly hosts, singing Hallelujas to the Most High. Raise our voices in joy and happiness. Raise the chapel roof, as it were, with exultant praise and thanksgiving to our Lord and Savior, and to our Father who gives us everything. That is what hymns and music should be.

"Cry" unto the Lord in song!

Today marks the first day I have accepted my own inner challenge to keep a record of my thoughts and learning in a place where I can refer back to it, where others can aid in the learning and correct my false notions, and I can reach out to my scattered progeny and fulfill the ongoing duty I have unto them to teach them of correct gospel principals.

I am grateful for good friends and family members that have encouraged this project and have given their thoughts and advice. I treasure and enjoy my relationships with all of them, and have more gratitude than they know (primarily because I don't vocalize it properly, or enough). I hope that the things that I learn from each of you, from our fellowship and association, can be recorded here in a fashion that is understandable and easy to read, and that we call all learn a thing or two from this project.

You should know, at the outset, that my filters don't work very well, and many times I speak my mind without realizing that what I am saying may not sit well with others. This is good and bad. On the one hand, we are commanded to speak with boldness when teaching true and correct principles, or sharing the testimony of Christ. On the other, boldness can sometimes be misunderstood, and interpreted as other traits. So, while I will attempt to write with some degree of caution so that I may not be misinterpreted, I will also write as my own self, for better or worse.

I shall also attempt to write as often as possible. I am a poor journal keeper. This is one of the reasons I have opted to use this forum to record my learning. This means that I may write once a day, or more, or have gaps in the regularity. I make no promises as to the consistency of my writings. I will do my best. That is my promise and commitment to myself and my family.

I welcome all who wish to read these posts. I will speak truth as I understand it. Feel free to disagree with me, or to correct me. I appreciate well-reasoned and civil dialogue. However, strifes and contentions will not be tolerated. Please participate in a Zion-like fashion here.

To those that have inspired me to do this, I thank you. I hope that I can be at least partially as inspirational, informational and educational as you have been to me.

And lastly, to my family: I do this for you. Please take the time to read what I write to you. It is for your benefit and learning.

 ...And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom, seek learning even by study and also by faith; Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing, and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God; That your incomings may be in the name of the Lord, that your outgoings may be in the name of the Lord, that all your salutations may be in the name of the Lord, with uplifted hands unto the Most High...

(D & C 109: 7-9)

Please feel free to interact with this forum. Tell me your thoughts. Help us build our house of learning here. Let us create a house of order and a house of God. I love you all!