Because He Lives

Because He Lives

Going through something difficult changes every aspect of you.

Last week was the first time in a whole year when I woke up without
feeling that despair. It was an amazing feeling when I knew my life was as
messy as it could get yet recognizing the absence of weariness.

1 year of hard work

1 year of recovery

Looking back the choices, the paths I have taken,
I still don’t regret any of them.

During the most excruciating moment,

I ached, doubted, questioned wondering the purpose of it all.

I remembered the nights when I cried in my prayers, pleading and
begging for relief yet waking up the next morning drowning in fear. The
fear of never getting better, the fear of those false accusations becoming
a fragment of reality. 

What gives me courage to keep fighting this fight is the reassuring love
I’ve felt. My family, my best friends, my new priesthood leaders, and many
who still stands by me and has not shrunk in the presence of my
struggles, my sufferings. Most importantly, the overwhelming love and
care I’ve felt through priesthood blessings, temple worship. My trials have
not been removed nor my experience was erased however the atonement
of Jesus Christ has made the pain a little more bearable. 

Because He Lives, He understands how I feel and He willingly suffers on
my behalf.

Because He Lives, my burdens are made light.

Because He Lives, I have the confidence to experience difficulties in life
even though I may break, I may be hurt knowing with 100% confidence
that I can also be healed.

My wise friend once shared this brilliant concept about faith. He pointed
out that God operates on faith just as much as we do. He loves us and He
wants us back however He allows us to learn and grow through
exercising agency. While having access and control to all elements, time,
He compels no one. 

Looking at my scares, both emotional and spiritual ones, I am grateful for the
growth through this difficult experience. The values, beliefs, I hold true to
my conviction, to the contrary, root even more deeply in the midst of
chaos. It is evident in my research, academic work, and clinical practice. 

Because He Lives, I can finally offer my gratitude.
“Thank you, Mr. Gardener, for loving me enough to cut me down.”

Thus we in gratitude recall

And give our love and pledge our all,

Shed grateful tear

And conquer fear.

—The Easter Morn, Hymn #198

K.D. 

What Almost Killed You Made You Stronger!!!

Christmas this year was a very emotional holiday. I was surrounded by friends
and family, opening presents and laughing my head off. I tried capturing the
complex thoughts and mixed feelings but words cannot accurately portrait any.
When I started this blog 1.5 years ago, I opened it with my authentic
struggles coming home from the mission. Feelings bewildered, desperately
finding purpose in life, and there I have found the summary of my 2014 experience.

Many of you may remember the unfortunately incident I had earlier this year
with some members and church leaders from my home ward. 

It left me spiritually, emotionally wounded and for a long time I was terrified
that I would never feel the conviction I once had again. I do not glorify this
experience because of the heinous and unnecessary nature of individual’s action. 

This incident forever changes the way I perceive trials and difficult times. God
did not make this happen; not in a million years. He didn’t whisper into the
ears of those individuals telling them to hurt me. 

However, He did let that happen.

He honored individuals agency; till this day, He continues to aid me the love
and support I need for recovery.  I am truly grateful for those who love me,
take me in, and bear with me when I take time to grieve, to be vulnerable.
When I deal with it head on, these brave souls lovingly endure listening to
the cruel details and reassuring me that it’s going to be okay and that I am safe
with them.

I have learned so much about the atonement as I learn about pain. In one of
my favorite talks, the Uses of Adversity, Carlfred Broderick clarified the
purpose of the atonement and reassure necessity to feel all range of
emotions, including pain. “The gospel of Jesus Christ is not insurance against
pain. It is a resource in event of pain, and when that pain comes (and it will
come because we came here on earth to have pain among other things),
when it comes, rejoice that you have a resource to deal with your pain.” 

Suffice to say that I am doing better. I have a great therapist who helps me to
understand the overwhelming feelings I wake up to every day.
I still feel pain, fear, doubts  but I also begin to see hope.

2015 will be an exciting year. In anticipating these amazing opportunities to
come, I am most excited to hope and be courageous again.

“It's not their pain you're afraid of. It's yours, Charles. And as frightening as it
can be, that pain will make you stronger. If you allow yourself to feel it,
embrace it. It will make you more powerful than you ever imagined. It's the
greatest gift we have: to bear their pain without breaking. And it comes from
the most human part of us: hope. Charles, we need you to hope again.”
Professor X, X-men: Days of Future Past

K.D. 

Think Twice Before You Sign the Discriminational Law Review (Because You Are Told To)

Today I am very disappointed on how some members handled the
Discrimination Law Review and publicly lobby members at church
meetings to disagree certain consultation questions in the name of
protecting traditional institution of marriage in Hong Kong. I know the risk
of posting this and it is my intention to explain why you should think twice
before signing it.

I understand the Church’s position on homosexuality and defending
traditional family. I am a Mormon, and I have been struggling to
understand how to balance loving my friends who are homosexual while
aligning my thoughts and actions with my beliefs.

This is the moment for me to speak up. 

In the circulated online message and Relief Society announcement,
members (or nonmembers) are strongly encourage to show concern for
the questions listed in the following website.

Question 6, 9, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73 

http://www.eocdlr.org.hk/en/summary-ap.html?f=s&c=white

When the forms were distributed, a few who were confused with legal
jargons raised their questions indicated not knowing what they were
asked to do. The instructions given were to just check disagree on the
questions indicated above and then submit them since this would be very
urgent. Someone else spoke up and voiced concern of the basic right for
the audience which required fully understanding the content of
Discrimination Law before indicating their comments. That got shot down
pretty quickly.

In another ward, the forms were prepared with those questioned
indicating disagree while member just had to put their personal
information on. The introduction and purpose of the law review were not
given in both wards which caused my concerns.

#1 You and I have our rights as citizens to voice our concerns but not this
way. You can solicit response while you have clearly explain the purpose
of your inquiry and given a chance for participants to freely express their
options. This is basic ethics, honoring and respecting each other’s right. 

#2 This Discrimination Law Review has nothing to do with redefining the
institution of marriage but to discuss if we need to expand the scope to
protect people in other circumstances. The purpose of the review is
clearly listed in the following:

“The DLR is not intended to be a consultation on developing
comprehensive discrimination legislation for new protected characteristics
such as sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex status, or age. The
EOC believes that it would be preferable to conduct separate
consultations on developing discrimination laws in new areas. We note,
however, that where the scope of the existing protected characteristics
raises an issue directly connected to new characteristics, we do broadly
discuss that issue. An example of this is the possibility of protecting people
from discrimination where they are in de facto relationships and whether that
 should apply to same-sex relationships. This links to a
characteristic of sexual orientation. However we also note this is not a
consultation on whether we believe same-sex marriage should be
legalized.”

Honestly, I am very disappointed, dreadfully frustrated because this would
have been a major ethical violation in my profession. This is not how we
conduct scientific research studies. If someone handed me a pre-filled
form, I would have not hesitated and express the humiliation and
objectification behind that. This is not how we participate in civil
responsibilities. 

On another note, there is no contradiction between supporting traditional
marriage, accordingly to the family proclamation and reconsidering
protection for people in de facto relationship, regardless heterosexual or
homosexual. We don’t pick and choose who we love and protect even if
we don’t agree with their lifestyle. We follow Christ's example to love all. 

Pardon my conscience screaming it isn’t right.

K.D. 

Democracy and Obedience: How gospel values should be employed in politics

1.. There is no evil in asking for something before knowing completely what it is. There are scores of examples of people who sought after the gospel, not knowing what exactly it was yet the peripheral "beginneth to be delicious to [them]". We are not morally obligated to make a decision after fully understanding the details.

2. Even though we believe that God is at helm and He is watching over us, he DID NOT take away our ability to act for ourselves nor WILL HE do so. We have been constantly reminded that as Latter-day Saints we are to act and not to be act upon, and this is an eternal truth. Understanding that "everything is going to be alright at the end" (which is absolutely true) DOES NOT mean we are not required to actively bring to pass this happy ending. 

3. In fact, the Lord has asked His servants to "counsel between themselves and me" - suggesting that while there are absolute truths within the gospel, the application of these truths can vary. Reasoning is not just a gift given to us by our loving Father, but also a duty and responsibility - and most of all a commandment - that is crucial to the growth of all Latter-day Saints. The Lord gave a strong warning concerning this - after He addressed the Saints about politics, "...Otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil."

4. After giving such commandment to his presiding servants the Lord declared, 

"For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.

Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness."

Keywords - "not meet that I should command in all things", "anxiously engaged", "good cause", "own free will". We are asked to act. Sitting in my home waiting for a blessing will do no good. It was ever thus.

5. The fall of the Nephites had nothing to do with democracy. It is appalling to read such statement. The idea of a democratic government is to establish a system which the majority rules, especially “a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people”. While in the church we believe in the power of God and we are his subjects, we are not under the same obligation to our government as to our theocratic church. While the idea of letting the people to choose as their will desires is dangerous and could result into bad choices (which had happened in the scriptural history, e.g., Exodus where the congregation almost unanimously agreed to elect a new leader and return to Egypt), the very principle of letting the people to choose is inseparable to the heavenly law of moral agency. Taking away the right to choose and what you have are but pawns and not humans.

6. That being said until this day God has not re-organized His political Kingdom. Before then He allows us to choose our own government systems with guidelines provided through scriptures and latter-day prophets. Arguments can be made concerning the political governments among the Saints but the ultimate decisions should be made by the people. Employing scriptures to endorse a particular government system is not only dangerous but also misguiding. Opinions can still differ even though we believe in the same gospel.

7. God has given His children laws concerning fighting back and responding to threats. Some of these laws are eternal and some are of a temporary nature. There is a danger when one employ a scriptural story to support or disapprove a current event. For example, the fact the people of Alma refused to defend for themselves when the Lamanites attacked does not condemn those who decided to fight for their right. The fact that Limhi and his people did fight for themselves does not justify the notion to answer with swords. Until a clear instruction is given unto us through the proper priesthood channel one is entitled to believe as he pleases - as long as his conscience approves.

8. "The works, and the designs, and the purposes of God cannot be frustrated, neither can they come to naught. Remember, remember that it is not the work of God that is frustrated, but the work of men." 

9. Remember, not that everything happening in this life is the will of God. In some instances He merely "suffer" them to happen. The outcome of an event does not justify the nature or clarify the will of God concerning the event. It is dangerous, even heretical to suggest that the result defines the nature. While we are told to judge the tree by its fruits, it is a false doctrine that in this life all good causes will prevail. 

10. It is dangerous to use church terms in daily life without discretion. For example, according to True To The Faith, 

"Prophets speak of having a “firm hope” (Alma 34:41) and a “lively hope” (1 Peter 1:3). The prophet Moroni taught, “Whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God” (Ether 12:4).

When we have hope, we trust God's promises. We have a quiet assurance that if we do “the works of righteousness,” we “shall receive [our] reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come” (D&C 59:23). Mormon taught that such hope comes only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ: “What is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise” (Moroni 7:41)."

Such hope should not be confused with the hope that we frequently mention in daily life. The hope that we mention in daily life is centered in the daily exercise that we do and the experience that we have accumulated - not necessarily in the Lord. To suggest that because we have faith in Christ we are to hope "in all things" literally is misleading and shows a lack of understanding of the principle of hope.

What do these mean?

One is obligated to do all that he can in order to achieve the will of God. We are to exercise our own free will and bring to pass the good things we are asked to do. The Lord has given us the right to do the things that we believed to be true and it is a duty for us to act according to our conscience. We might act differently and sometimes disagree with each other, yet this does not mean that one has erred. As President Faust suggested, "We do not lose our identity in becoming members of this church".While “truth is singular [and] its ‘versions’ are mistruths”, opinions can be justified with reasons.

Ryan Ka Shu Mok

Occupying Central Part 2: What You Need To Know Before Sharing Your Political View with Scriptural References

While we were discussing the current issue in Hong Kong, we read some posts on Facebook that members using scriptures/GC talks etc, any church-related materials to defend their views. We found it quite an interesting phenomena and we would like to do an experiment in showing how using scriptures/GC talks/Leaders’ words to defend a seemingly “truth” is not appropriate.

As Danise mentioned on her Facebook status, “research has suggested a theory of confirmation bias in which you follow your preference to search for information that confirms your view.” The sources we choose to support our personal view is not wrong in context itself. However, bias are inevitable when our minds are flooded by our personal views and cultural perceptions. Once we found those words/quotes that confirm our thought, they become the “truth” to ourselves. We should pay attention while using scriptures/GC talks/Leaders’ words in confirming our political views. The dangerous side is that we may use the “truth” we found in scriptures/GC talks/Leaders’ words to confirm our political “truth”. Scriptures/GC talks/Leaders’ words are supposed to use for teaching Gospel Principle – the eternal truth.

G.K.

This occupying central movement has been a wake up call for many. 

High school students armed with plastic wraps, raincoats, 

goggles, and umbrellas grasping at straws for democracy. 

I see hope, a hope that is reignited as citizens from all walks of life 

coming together defending the same cause. 

I see an undeniable failure when the brain washing 

"moral and national education” curriculum,
the culturally ingrained sense of conformity, 

and blind obedience fail miserably. 

Charles Dickens brilliantly depicted the paradoxical feelings at the
beginning of A Tale of Two Cities.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, 

it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, 

it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, 

it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, 

it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, 

we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, 

we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way – 

In short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its
noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil,
in the superlative degree of comparison only.”

While being stuck in the Mormonland learning to be a social advocate,  

I do my very best to take my stand and actively participate.

Hours of monitoring the news, explaining the situation to people I know,

I feel absolutely exhausted with a robust schedule juggling 

school, work, and reading up on Hong Kong. 

What scares me the most isn’t the banner warning policing firing their weapon.

It was church members quoting scriptures,

supporting their political view.

“Facebook etiquette” is circulated among members which 

includes no disagreeing comments on other’s pages.

Granted their intention is great, preventing online disagreement 

turning into bible bashing, which backfire our public image.

Ironically, this is the very reason why high school students

are making a statement to the world.

Why do we seek pseudo-harmony (the absence of conflict)

and trade in our voices? 

This is the problem I see when the collectiveness of the Chinese

culture mixing and singling out 1 gospel principle.

Normally, it’s perfect for regular worship setting. 

When we are given a topic, for example on the Holy Ghost,

I focus on my search on related doctrine and quotes which is 

perfectly fine because they are all truths, gospel truths.

However, it goes downward spiral if the same method is employed

in a political debate. It’s okay to have different views and I hope

we have different views. The fact that different voices are appreciated

is exactly why we fight for democracy. What creeps me out is people

misquote scriptures and talks to strong arming people to ally with.

It stifles communication, healthy critical thinking, and distort the political

neutrality nature of the Church. Remember, the gospel is a holistic whole
a transformation, a conversion that not only changes a single behavior
or thoughts but our whole way of being. 

Please don't cherry pick principles of the gospel. 

K.D.

Occupying Central Part 1: What Does The Scripture Say About It?

To support the movement:

I don’t know how you feel, my brethren and sisters, but I’d rather be dead than to lose my liberty. I have no fear we’ll ever lose it because of invasion from the outside. But I do have fear that it may slip away from us because of our own indifference, our own negligence, as citizens of this land. And so I plead with you this morning that you take an active interest in matters pertaining to the future of this country.

Ezra Taft Benson – BYU Devotional – 1952 December

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

1 Corinthians 1:10

And they entered into a covenant to fight for the liberty of the Nephites, yea, to protect the land unto the laying down of their lives; yea, even they covenanted that they never would give up their liberty, but they would fight in all cases to protect the Nephites and themselves from bondage.

Alma 53:17

The whole chapter of Alma 60, especially:

Behold, I am Moroni, your chief captain. I seek not for power, but to pull it down. I seek not for honor of the world, but for the glory of my God, and the freedom and welfare of my country. And thus I close mine epistle.

Alma 60:36

To support 689 (The Government) 

Article of Faith 12

We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

Doctrine and Covenants 134:5

We believe that all men are bound to sustain and uphold the respective governments in which they reside, while protected in their inherent and inalienable rights by the laws of such governments; and that sedition and rebellion are unbecoming every citizen thus protected, and should be punished accordingly; and that all governments have a right to enact such laws as in their own judgments are best calculated to secure the public interest; at the same time, however, holding sacred the freedom of conscience.

Doctrine and covenants 58: 21-22

Let no man think he is ruler; but let God rule him that judgeth, according to the counsel of his own will, or, in other words, him that counseleth or sitteth upon the judgment seat.

Let no man break the laws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land.

Alma 4:16

And he selected a wise man who was among the elders of the church, and gave him power according to the voice of the people, that he might have power to enact laws according to the laws which had been given, and to put them in force according to the wickedness and the crimes of the people.

3 Nephi 11:29

For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another. 

Doctrine and Covenants 10:63

And this I do that I may establish my gospel, that there may not be so much contention; yea, Satan doth stir up the hearts of the people to contention concerning the points of my doctrine; and in these things they do err, for they do wrest the scriptures and do not understand them.

Alma 37:31

Yea, and cursed be the land forever and ever unto those workers of darkness and secret combinations, even unto destruction, except they repent before they are fully ripe. 

Fully confused?? Now proceed to part two and you will know why. 

G.K. & K.D.

A God of Equal Rights; A God of Love

This week I was at the Provo Temple with a friend attended a sealing 

session. The session happened to be officiated by a hilarious and
talkative sealer who took the time to pause and taught us the promise
blessings of the sealing ordinances and personal applications. 

He paused and indicated something
I’ve never noticed from the blessing of children being sealed to
parents. Due to the sacred nature of the ordinance, the best I can do
is summing up how the prayer specifically indicated identical
blessings for those who are sealed to their parents later on in life are
the same comparing to  those those who are born into the covenant. 

“He’s a loving Heavenly Father; a God of equal rights and a God of
love.” Said the wise sealer.

I WAS IN AWE...…

Coming from an interfaith family, I used to feel like the black sheep.
My circumstance has made a huge difference in my life than my
peers such as not being able to get baptized at the age of 8, my
father’s objection to attend BYU or serve a mission, the need of other
priesthood bearers offering priesthood blessings, etc…. It’s really
hard on me as a kid. 

Two weeks ago, I got to share a related experience attending Church
in Heber City, Utah as the teacher struggled with the same sense of
inadequacy. I struggled through my first transfer on my
mission realizing I had a hard time bearing witness and teaching
eternal family because I wasn’t in one. I felt really ashamed standing
in the shadow of the Salt Lake Temple and just had the most
inadequate feeling. I prayed frequently and studied fervently hoping I
could gain a testimony of eternal marriage before having my own.

It wasn’t necessary what I studied but the connections and
associations I was making that eventually connected the dots.
Gradually, I realized it didn’t matter what stages we were at in the
plan of salvation; what matter was that we were progressing, even
one step towards Christ. That I could bear witness of because I knew
and have felt the unconditionally love of God and the power of the
atonement. 

Instead of sharing my own family stories, I began to talk about my
aspiration and hope of one day obtaining the blessings of having an
eternal family of my own. 

That’s why I still feel strongly about this topic and often speak up in
any Church settings. It isn’t because I am radical or against temple
marriage but my “allergic reaction” towards judgmental and shaming
attitude towards our fellow children of God who perhaps progress at a
different pace or choose differently. 

I am grateful for my mother’s sacrifices and faithfulness even when
other members trying to take over her job being my mother just
because they’ve been married in the temple. Although we are not
sealed as a family, I know Heavenly Father loves us and knows our
circumstances perfectly to sort this out one day. Before that, I am
banking on my faith in Him trusting things will work out as He has my
best interest. That’s what faith is all about, right?

K.D.