The star jasmine is in
bloom. Every day (except when the weather is bad or I don't feel like
it), I take a walk for my morning 15 minute break at work. Most of my
route parallels the major road near my building. Along the sidewalk are
two clumps of star jasmine bushes--one on the left side and the other, larger
one, roughly 40 yards later on the right side. I've always like the
fragrance of this particular flower. It's sweet, but subtle--not so
overwhelming that I'm sent into olfactory shock (which is why I try to avoid
the perfume counters in major department stores). When I walk past the
bushes (especially the second one), the pleasant scent has reminded of my
university days and the house I lived in at the time. A star jasmine bush
was planted below my bedroom window. When the flowers were
blossoming, I’d quite often open the window while I studied because the
soothing fragrance helped me concentrate as I tried to make sense of
Herman Melville or Shakespeare or Charles Dickens or whatever author I happened
to studying for my English classes at the time.
However, I've noticed something
interesting (to me, anyway) as I've gone on my walks over the last week.
If the wind is blowing just right, or a group of passing cars generate a good
enough gust, or an 18-wheeler roars by leaving a trail of exhaust, the fragrance
of the star jasmine flowers is either blown past me by the wind or overpowered
to the point where I cannot smell it even though I'm walking right next to the
bushes (and these bushes are thick with flowers). I haven't been
listening to my iPod as I’ve been walking lately, which has given me time to
think about this particular phenomena (hey, I heard someone say, "Oh,
no!") and I have come to a conclusion or two about what the flowers can
teach me.
In my "faith
into action" Palmyra post from last year's vacation, I
mentioned how Jennifer and I had gone on our 2000 visit to the area expecting
some massive spiritual blow-out experience telling us in no uncertain terms
that the events which happened there were absolutely true! What came
instead was a quiet, peaceful assurance of the testimony we already
possessed. For me, this experience highlights the need to be careful with
our revelatory expectations. Personal revelation can come in a seeming
instant if the occasion warrants it. Elder David A. Bednar taught,
"A light turned on in a dark room is like receiving a message from God
quickly, completely, and all at once. Many of us have experienced this pattern of
revelation as we have been given answers to sincere prayers or been provided
with needed direction or protection, according to God’s will and timing. . . .
However, this pattern of revelation tends to be more rare than common" (Ensign,
May 2011, 88). If we believe the only way to learn spiritual, gospel
truth is through some road to Damascus (see Acts 9:1-9)
or angelic appearance (see Mosiah
27:8-17) type of event, we will be constantly disappointed or may question
our worthiness and ability to receive revelation from the Lord. While
these episodes in the scriptures serve to demonstrate the dramatic effect of
the Spirit on a person, they are unique rather than commonplace. The
Spirit works with us in other, less "remarkable" ways.
Alma reminded his son, Helaman,
that "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass" (Alma 37:6).
This is one of the things the fragrance of the star jasmine flowers has
reminded me. As I approach the blossoms on the two bushes, I begin to
catch the sweet smell of the flowers. This scent
increases steadily until I am finally walking next to the bushes and can
enjoy the full "flavor" of the flowers. Again relating
revelation to light, Elder Bednar explained, "The gradual increase of
light radiating from the rising sun is like receiving a message from God 'line
upon line, precept upon precept' (2 Nephi 28:30).
Most frequently, revelation comes in small increments over time and is granted
according to our desire, worthiness, and preparation. . . . This pattern of
revelation tends to be more common than rare" (ibid, 88). Just as
the perfume of the star jasmine is not powerful and overwhelming, the Spirit is
calming, peaceful, comforting and reassuring, distilling "upon [my] soul
as the dews from heaven" (D&C
121:45). Because the scent is delicate, I sometimes have to
concentrate to catch a whiff of the fragrance. Revelation comes to us in
much the same way. On occasion it is given immediately if needed, but
mostly we need to put forth our effort first before God rewards us with our
desire.
Additionally, in order to enjoy
the fragrance of the flowers, I have to employ my sense of smell. To
enjoy the blessings of the Spirit, one must also use a sense, but it is not the
one that might immediately come to mind. Nephi teaches
that "angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost" (2 Nephi 32:3).
Understanding this concept, Nephi's words to his brothers when reminding
them of the angel they had seen while going back to Jerusalem for the brass
plates takes on a new meaning when he tells them that
they "could not feel his words (1 Nephi 17:45,
emphasis added). In a 2011 conference talk, President Boyd K. Packer
stated, "Some critics have said that these verses are in error because you
hear words; you do not feel them. But if you know anything at all
about spiritual communication, you know that the best word to describe what
takes place is the word feeling" (Ensign,
Nov. 2011, 17, emphasis in original). Feelings or impressions
are the main mode of communication I receive when obtaining heavenly
communication. I do not hear words as much as I feel the
impression of the words upon me. It is difficult to explain
it in any other way.
These feelings or impressions
or thoughts can be blocked if we are not careful, however. In the same
manner that the wind generated by cars or nature can make the fragrance of the
star jasmine either difficult or impossible to smell, the distractions of the
world or negative feelings can impede or completely overpower the Spirit.
As Elder Richard G. Scott explained, "The inspiring influence of the
Holy Spirit can be overcome or masked by strong emotions, such as anger, hate,
passion, fear, or pride. When such influences are present, it is like trying to
savor the delicate flavor of a grape while eating a jalapeño pepper. Both
flavors are present, but one completely overpowers the other. In like manner,
strong emotions overcome the delicate promptings of the Holy Spirit" (Ensign,
Nov. 2009, 8).
While I'm on the subject of
emotion, I will also say it is important to not confuse positive emotion with
the Spirit. Let me explain/clarify my statement: during a
Fast and Testimony meeting, several people in a row begin to cry as they are
bearing their testimonies. Then the next person to stand at the
podium does not. The erroneous conclusion: "Brother or Sister
X didn't cry, he or she must not be feeling the Spirit." This
would be an mistake. While it is true that people do become "choked
up" with emotion while bearing their testimony (it's happened to me;
heck it happens so often to President Eyring that he's learned how to power
through his conference talks while crying), the danger comes when we mistake
the emotion alone as the influence of the Spirit or the testimony of that
individual. Brother or Sister X may have borne a powerful, spiritual
testimony, but we may have missed it because we were focused on the lack
of emotion (or, we might "tune out" a person when they do
begin to cry). Perhaps a better explanation of this point was given by
Elder Scott in another conference address. In talking about testimony,
which is an outgrowth of obtaining revelation from the Holy Ghost, he said,
"A testimony is fortified by spiritual impressions that confirm the
validity of a teaching, of a righteous act. Often such guidance is accompanied
by powerful emotions that bring tears to the eyes and make it difficult to
speak. But a testimony is not emotion. It is the very essence of character
woven from threads born of countless correct decisions" (Ensign,
Nov. 2010, 45).
I am thankful for Heavenly
Father's creations. They are here to remind us of His love for
us and He gave them to us "that [we] might have joy" (2 Nephi 2:25).
It's amazing what can be learned from them when putting forth a little time and
a bit of effort. I don't know how long the flowers will remain in bloom,
but I will enjoy their fragrance while it lasts. Hopefully, I will
remember their lesson for a much longer time. J
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