"We get what we focus on consistently" (Ensign, May 2009, 40). I have used this sentence from a talk given by Elder Kevin W. Pearson in at least one other post (if not more), but it seems to have a lot more power to it in the context of my thoughts as of late. In my last post, I stated that one of the talks that touched me was President Monson’s Sunday morning address. Although I briefly touched on the physical struggle he had at the end of his talk, I wanted to focus on what he said rather than what I saw because I didn’t want my sense of hearing to get overshadowed by my sense of sight (although, I will admit it wasn't easy as his talk came to its conclusion). Others, it appears, have decided to focus on criticism of the supposed lack of assistance to President Monson (among other things—see the "distractions" portion of the linked post) over the last few minutes of his address.
I guess some of those criticizing would claim they are doing so because they love the prophet and want him to be safe, but if their love for President Monson causes them to heap invective upon the heads of those who serve with the prophet it seems to me that their love is misplaced. I have access to a Webster's dictionary from 1977, and in this particular instance, I'm glad I do because what I found in the definition of the word criticize in that dictionary is a bit different that what can be found in the on line version of today. Definition 2 of criticize on the Merriam-Webster website (which is the definition that is in use in this instance) is "to find fault with : point out the faults of", but in the 1977 Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, criticize is defined as "to stress the faults of : cavil at". The word cavil was not one I recalled meeting before, so I looked it up in the 1977 dictionary as well and found it's definition to be "to raise trivial and frivolous [of little importance] objection".
This little exercise helped me to better understand something taught by Elder Dallin H. Oaks in last April conference. Addressing the Parable of the Sower, Elder Oaks, while discussing the "stony ground," brought up the "keyhole view of the gospel or the Church" which has been "accelerated by current technology". He continued: "This limited view focuses on a particular doctrine or practice or perceived deficiency in a leader and ignores the grand panorama of the gospel plan and the personal and communal fruits of its harvest. President Gordon B. Hinckley gave a vivid description of one aspect of this keyhole view. He told a BYU audience about political commentators 'aflame with indignation' at a then-recent news event. 'With studied art they poured out the sour vinegar of invective and anger. … Surely,' he concluded, 'this is the age and place of the gifted pickle sucker.' In contrast, to be securely rooted in the gospel, we must be moderate and measured in criticism and seek always for the broader view of the majestic work of God" (Ensign, May 2015, 33).
This type of carping was also touched on in the conference just concluded. I quote one example from Elder M. Russell Ballard: "Too many people think Church leaders and members should be perfect or nearly perfect. They forget that the Lord’s grace is sufficient to accomplish His work through mortals. ... Looking for human weakness in others is rather easy. However, we make a serious mistake by noticing only the human nature of one another and then failing to see God’s hand working through those He has called" ("God Is at the Helm, Oct. 2015). In situations such as what happened to President Monson, the keyhole criticism turns out to be "trivial" and "frivolous" rather than "moderate and measured." In no way am I attempting to minimize what happened to President Monson, but, rather, to give it some perspective that seems to be missed by those focusing solely on his weakness in body or the perceived lack of help or whatever the criticism is.
To this end, I would like to change the focus—to offer an alternate view of the events. I have chronicled in several posts (see here, here, here, here, and here if you're interested ☺) my oldest son Benjamin's struggle with a back injury and subsequent diagnosis of Hypermobility Disorder. Now, he is serving as a missionary in the Colorado Denver North Mission. He has been having some struggles of late trying to find a balance between doing the work he was called to Colorado to do, keeping the pain at tolerable levels and feeling the Spirit in the midst of it all. Oh, how I wish I could report that his missionary service has caused his back to miraculously heal and cured his disorder; but I cannot. It's not that simple. However, to quote from Ben's last letter:
This little exercise helped me to better understand something taught by Elder Dallin H. Oaks in last April conference. Addressing the Parable of the Sower, Elder Oaks, while discussing the "stony ground," brought up the "keyhole view of the gospel or the Church" which has been "accelerated by current technology". He continued: "This limited view focuses on a particular doctrine or practice or perceived deficiency in a leader and ignores the grand panorama of the gospel plan and the personal and communal fruits of its harvest. President Gordon B. Hinckley gave a vivid description of one aspect of this keyhole view. He told a BYU audience about political commentators 'aflame with indignation' at a then-recent news event. 'With studied art they poured out the sour vinegar of invective and anger. … Surely,' he concluded, 'this is the age and place of the gifted pickle sucker.' In contrast, to be securely rooted in the gospel, we must be moderate and measured in criticism and seek always for the broader view of the majestic work of God" (Ensign, May 2015, 33).
This type of carping was also touched on in the conference just concluded. I quote one example from Elder M. Russell Ballard: "Too many people think Church leaders and members should be perfect or nearly perfect. They forget that the Lord’s grace is sufficient to accomplish His work through mortals. ... Looking for human weakness in others is rather easy. However, we make a serious mistake by noticing only the human nature of one another and then failing to see God’s hand working through those He has called" ("God Is at the Helm, Oct. 2015). In situations such as what happened to President Monson, the keyhole criticism turns out to be "trivial" and "frivolous" rather than "moderate and measured." In no way am I attempting to minimize what happened to President Monson, but, rather, to give it some perspective that seems to be missed by those focusing solely on his weakness in body or the perceived lack of help or whatever the criticism is.
To this end, I would like to change the focus—to offer an alternate view of the events. I have chronicled in several posts (see here, here, here, here, and here if you're interested ☺) my oldest son Benjamin's struggle with a back injury and subsequent diagnosis of Hypermobility Disorder. Now, he is serving as a missionary in the Colorado Denver North Mission. He has been having some struggles of late trying to find a balance between doing the work he was called to Colorado to do, keeping the pain at tolerable levels and feeling the Spirit in the midst of it all. Oh, how I wish I could report that his missionary service has caused his back to miraculously heal and cured his disorder; but I cannot. It's not that simple. However, to quote from Ben's last letter:
"I went on my first exchange on Wednesday. My companion was Elder Smith and he was a blessing from God because he helped me feel sane and connected with me. He has a disease that makes his body think his back needs to heal when it doesn't. His body is trying to fuse his spine together and he has osteoporosis already. He helped me feel sane by his example to keep on moving which strengthened my desire to not give up and keep on moving. ... General Conference sealed the deal with Sister Marriott’s talk and more so with David A. Bednar's talk that challenges of physical pain add to our leader’s character and makes them even more admirable; that what they say stands out even more because of their spirit. No matter what physical pain they must endure, they receive help from God and their strength is from God. When Elder Bednar quoted my favorite scripture: "Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same" [D&C 1:38] it just hit it home for me. The Spirit hit me so strongly and I cried and realized that I can do this mission! I can stand up like Thomas S. Monson did, even when it was hard for him at the end of his talk, and finish what the Lord wants him and me to say. Even though my body is weak, my spirit is strong and I can feel the light of Christ even in my pain. ... I also had a thought during the priesthood session that if I ever saw President Monson face to face, I would go up to him and give him a hug and tell him, 'That was from God.'" (emphasis added)
"We get what we focus on consistently." For those who are wasting their time focusing on the state of President Monson's health, or the "fact" that no one came to the podium to support him, or whatever the case may be concerning our dear prophet, I wanted you to know that a missionary in Colorado found inspiration in what he saw as President Monson struggled to finish his talk. A missionary, who has a weak area in his spine and constant pain in more than a few of his joints realized that if President Monson can continue to power through weakness of body, he (the missionary) can also do the same. With just a change in focus, an incident that has caused some to criticize has caused another individual to gain strength and conviction that he can do what the Lord has called him to Colorado to do—despite the physical discomfort.May we all carefully consider where we place our focus.
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