Wisdom Couched In Silliness and Humor

It seems like I'm watching a lot of movies these days (I am on vacation!) but yesterday my husband gave me a Mother's Day gift--He selected a movie specifically for me for us to watch--Evan Almighty. Even though it was about as silly as you can get I love Morgan Freeman who played God. Plus, there were some words of wisdom couched in between all the humor and silliness.

In one scene "God" gives Evan Baxter's wife the following counsel: "Let me ask you something. If someone prays for patience, you think God gives them patience? Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient? If he prayed for courage does God give him courage or does he give him opportunities to be courageous?"

In another scene "God" asks Evan Baxter: "How do we change the world?" and Evan Baxter answers correctly when he says, "One single act of random kindness at a time" Learning this insight was especially pertinent and significant to Evan Baxter, a Buffalo newscaster who had been elected to Congress on the slogan, "Change the World." The first night he was in Washington Baxter prayed asking God to help him change the world. God heard Baxter and answered his prayer but in an unconventional way that Baxter hadn't expected. Baxter had had an optimistic zeal to change the world through the political system. Yet, the political system has its limitations because often personal agendas or even corruption gets in the way. God knew and Baxter learned that relying only on politicians to solve the world's problems wouldn't be sufficient.

Baxter comes to realize that God has called him to do a work. He exercises faith in that calling even when he others mock him and accuse of him of being crazy. Even for a short time his family leaves him not understanding what is going on with him.

Baxter's faith is also to be admired when taking into account that God hadn't given him a detailed blueprint on how to accomplish what he is being asked to do. At best he was only armed with a sketchy understanding of God's plans. Yet, God reassures Baxter telling him, "Whatever I do, I do because I love you." That love and Baxter's faith are tested when even after the ark is built and the community is ready to dismantle it, no flood comes. Baxter looks up to the sunny sky and expresses his frustration saying to God, "Is it too much to ask for a LITTLE PRECIPITATION?" God answers the prayer with a little precipitation but still no flood.

What Baxter didn't know, but God did, was the flood wasn't going to come because of rain but because of a break in a dam. Baxter learned that God has his own reasons for asking us to do certain things. Therefore, we only need to follow his directions and then leave the outcomes and timing up to him.

Not only did Baxter learn that God had chosen him for a work, but as he told a reporter, "He chose all of us." In other words, each of us has a work to do that we can fulfill if we'll pray to be a change agent, listen to the answer that may be unconventional, and continue to follow the instructions in the answer even if we can't see any results and/or others are mocking or chiding us.

Sacredness of an Oath (cont.)

There is a scripture in the Book of Mormon, I Nephi 4:35, 37, which says that as soon as Zoram "made an oath unto us that he would tarry with us from that time forth. Our fears did cease concerning him." Although those of us in the western world may be astonished at this confidence in Zoram's words, it becomes less astonishing when we realize that an oath is the one thing that is most sacred and inviolable among the desert people.

Hugh B. Nibley in his book An Approach to the Book of Mormon says, "Hardly will an Arab break his oath, even if his life is in jeopardy, " for, "there is nothing stronger and nothing more sacred than the oath among the nomads." (p. 110)

George Lamsa in his book Old Testament Light tells us that when easterners take an oath they lift their hands toward heaven and invoke the name of God as a faithful witness. He adds that when treaties and agreements were made in the name of God they were generally respected and kept by future generations. (p. 44)

Even in the western world a man's word used to mean more than it does today. Yet, still today someone who does what he or she says he/she will do is known as a person of integrity --a man (or woman) of his word. That characterization of someone still carries a lot of weight.

I have a quote in my book My Years As a Hispanic Youth Advocate...and The Lessons I Learned that I believe was originally written as a joke and yet, it has a very important message. It says that it may feel like the judge who said in his acceptance speech, "I wish to thank the 424 people who promised to vote for me. I wish to thank the 316 people who said they did vote for me. I wish to thank the 47 people who came out last Thursday to vote, and I wish to thank the 26 folks who actually did vote for me." (p. 302)

Making the "rule of law" a god

In my state of Utah we have legislators who justify sponsoring and voting in favor of anti-immigration laws because of their respect and commitment to the "rule of law." Although I, too, understand and value the "rule of law" principle, I become very nervous when it is made a "god." Putting so much stock in man-made laws can be harmful and even dangerous. Looking at all the silly, dumb, and stupid, not to mention the unjust and even unconstitutional, laws that have not only been on the books, but still are, should make all of us more than a little leery of putting all our eggs in the rule of law basket when making decisions.

Talking About God

"Our society has developed a misplaced politeness which says we shouldn't talk about God because it might offend someone. Heaven save the society that's too polite to speak about God," are former Utah Governor Mike Leavitt's words spoken at his Second Inaugural Address on January 6.1997.

Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney emphasized in his Faith In America speech, "The founders proscribed the establishment of a state religion, but they did not countenance the elimination of religion from the public square." In the same speech Romney issued a call for greater religious thought in daily civic life and apposed any ideas of removing the acknowledgements of God from the public square. "We are a nation 'Under God'," insisted Romney, and "We should acknowledge the Creator as did the Founders--in ceremony and word."

I reread the speech by Former Governor Leavitt when it recently came to public light that the speech as well as decisions about policy was influenced by"early morning seminary" classes Leavitt held with his top advisors. These meetings were opened with prayer before delving into the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants to learn lessons and principles that could be applied to modern government.

The courage of these two political leaders is admirable and encouraging. They understand that there is wisdom greater than their own. How wonderful it would be if educational leaders chose to follow their example.