The eye of faith

I’ve always loved this document, even though my single status means I don’t fit neatly into the ideal the proclamation presents.

Yes, my friends, it’s time once more to return to Conference and feel once more the loving influence of our Heavenly Father as He speaks through modern day prophets and apostles.  Today we’ll examine the remarks of Elder Neil L. Andersen from the Saturday afternoon session.

Elder Andersen’s remarks, entitled “The Eye of Faith,” begin with a cursory examination of truth.  But then Elder Andersen turns his attention towards particular truths, specifically those found in The Family: A Proclamation to the World.

I’ve always loved this document, even though my single status means I don’t fit neatly into the ideal the proclamation presents.  You can find my favorite sentence occurs near its end. “Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation.”

That’s why I love Elder Andersen’s remarks.  He did just that — adapt the proclamation on the family to those with “other circumstances,” particularly single adults.  And he shows that adopting the eye of faith brings the truths of God more clearly into focus.

Gain a clearer perspective

As already stated, Elder Andersen begins with a cursory examination of truth.  He reminds us that, although many in the world believe truth to be relative, some truths are absolute and eternal.

We can understand spiritual truths only through spiritual means.  Thus, when we view those truths with the eye of the world, we won’t fully understand them.  But viewing them with the eye of faith, we can behold the beautiful tapestry God has woven for His children.

Elder Andersen demonstrates this difference by sharing artwork comprised of blocks hanging from the ceiling.  Seen from one perspective, the blocks appear scattered and chaotic.  But change the perspective by seeing from a different vantage point, and the image of a human eye comes clearly into view.

Prophets help us gain such views.  I love the words which Elder Andersen shared of our Prophet before he became the Prophet.

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Prior to being the President of the Church, President Russell M. Nelson said: “Prophets see ahead. They see the harrowing dangers the adversary has placed or will yet place in our path. Prophets also foresee the grand possibilities and privileges awaiting those who listen with the intent to obey.”

Fit yourself to truth

That vision doesn’t come to those who pick and choose what they’ll accept among God’s words.  We need the perspective of the eye of faith to see more clearly and appreciate the absolute nature of some truths.  Many of those truths are in God’s plan of happiness for His children.  With that segue, Elder Andersen moves towards a particular part of that plan — truths in the proclamation on the family.

I still remember when Gordon B. Hinckley announced the proclamation during the General Relief Society meeting the weekend before Conference.  I of course wasn’t in that meeting, but I was receptive to the proclamation first announced in that meeting.  Upon reading it, I felt the proclamation was inspired of God.

That doesn’t mean it’s been easy to take the truths of that document into my life.  Much of it speaks of a reality outside my situation then and currently.  As such, I’ve always had to adjust my view to embrace the contents.

Elder Andersen acknowledges I’m not alone in that regard.  Said he,

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There are so many, young and old, who are loyal and true to the gospel of Jesus Christ, even though their own current experience does not fit neatly inside the family proclamation: children whose lives have been shaken by divorce; youth whose friends mock the law of chastity; divorced women and men who have been gravely wounded by the unfaithfulness of a spouse; husbands and wives who are unable to have children; women and men who are married to a spouse who does not share their faith in the restored gospel; single women and men who, for various reasons, have been unable to marry.

One friend of nearly 20 years, whom I admire greatly, is not married because of same-sex attraction. He has remained true to his temple covenants, has expanded his creative and professional talents, and has served nobly in both the Church and the community. He recently said to me, “I can sympathize with those in my situation who choose not to keep the law of chastity in the world in which we live. But didn’t Christ ask us to be ‘not of this world’? It is clear that God’s standards are different from those of the world.”

In addition, my heart went out to Elder Andersen’s single sister friend as he shared a brief portion of this sister’s experience:

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My wife, Kathy, and I have known a single sister, now in her mid-40s, who is gifted in her professional abilities and serves valiantly in her ward. She too has kept the laws of God. She wrote:
“I dreamed of the day I would be blessed with a husband and children. I am still waiting. At times, my situation brings feelings of being forgotten and alone, but I try to keep the focus off what I don’t have and instead on what I do have and how I can help others.
“Service to my extended family, in my ward, and in the temple has helped me. I am not forgotten or alone because I am part of, and we are all part of, a larger family.”

I feel this sister’s pain, but I also rejoice she has learned some of the approaches I’ve been advocating in this forum for years.

Come to Christ

Elder Andersen concludes his address by acknowledging some may feel he doesn’t really understand them or their experience.  He then says what I wish more leaders would say — “I may not.”

I love his admission of at least potential ignorance.  I also love what he says next.  Come to the Savior Who does understand and has provided the Atonement that can attend to all of your pain, sickness, yearning, and suffering.

Listen to the promise an Apostle of the Lord makes to those who will come completely to Christ.

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As you seek Him and keep His commandments, I promise you that He will bless you and lift the burdens too heavy to bear alone. He will give you eternal friends and opportunities to serve. More important, He will fill you with the powerful Spirit of the Holy Ghost and shine His heavenly approval upon you. No choice, no alternative that denies the companionship of the Holy Ghost or the blessings of eternity is worthy of our consideration.

Let us embrace the eye of faith.  Doing so will open a greater understanding and appreciation of God’s spiritual truths to our view.  We’ll also better see and appreciate the tender mercies which the Lord grants to each one of us everyday.  And that will bring more joy in our journey.

You can listen to the monologue from today's episode of Joy In The Journey Radio here.  Please also feel free to continue the conversation by leaving a comment below.  Want to hear more?  Listen to the whole show by going to the show page for this episode.