Ammon, a Descendent of Zarahemla

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving this week.  I was only able to be home from 10:00 am Tuesday until 6:00 am this morning, but I had a wonderful time with family and friends.  I enjoyed a delicious Thanksgiving dinner at home with my family and then another delicious dinner later that day with Julianne, her sister Rebecca, her brother-in-law Neil, and their daughter Madi.  I didn't know that I still had a "two Thanksgiving dinner day" left in me.  I was certain that I had finished with those some 11 years ago when I enjoyed my last Thanksgiving in my mission.  But I thoroughly enjoyed both dinners and didn't manage to make myself sick in the process.  And then, perhaps an even greater accomplishment was eating at Tucanos the next day with Julianne.  I'm certain that the surgeon general would not approve of such a slate, but I was mildly proud of myself nonetheless.  I didn't really want to come back to Texas today; and I surely didn't want to come back to the three major papers yet to be written and four books left to read.  But I suppose these things have to be done so I will do them.  I did far too little homework this week, but it was nice to feel like a regular person for once and just enjoy some time at home.

Minerva Teichert, "Ammon Before King Limhi"

[Insert transition sentence that I am too lazy to write at the moment here].  This last week or so I have been reminded of one of my favorite Book of Mormon characters.  He is a man who gets little if any notice, and is generally confused with a man whom I confidently assume was named after him.  I'm writing about Ammon, the descendent of Zarahemla, who appears in Mosiah 7-8, 21-22.  Although he doesn't get much attention when we talk about the Book of Mormon, I firmly believe that he deserves some.

Ammon finds his way into the Book of Mormon some three years after the beginning of the reign of King Mosiah II, the son of King Benjamin.  Mormon tells us that Mosiah was "desirous to know concerning the people who went up to dwell in the land of Lehi-Nephi, or in the city of Lehi-Nephi; for his people had heard nothing from them from the time they left the land of Zarahemla."  And apparently Mosiah's people were anxious to hear from this group also, for they "wearied [Mosiah] with their teasings" (Mosiah 7:1).  To placate these complaints, Mosiah selected "sixteen of their strong men" to go and find this group that had left the land of Zarahemla with Zeniff.  At the head of this group was Ammon, "he being a strong and mighty man, and a descendent of Zarahemla" (Mosiah 7:3).

I have found through the years that the short genealogies listed in the scriptures are not things to be passed over and forgotten, but rather that they contain important information that helps us to understand the stories we are reading more fully.  The comment about Ammon's genealogy is short, but I believe it speaks volumes.  Zarahemla had been the king over the people of Zarahemla at the time that Mosiah I and his people found the city.  So Ammon was not merely a descendent of Zarahemla, he was (at least to some degree) an heir to a lost throne.  But this was not just any throne and Zarahemla had not just been any king.  Zarahemla had been a descendent of Mulek (Mosiah 25:2) who was the son of Zedekiah, king of Judah at the time that Lehi had left Jerusalem.  And although one of his brothers had had a higher and more direct claim upon the throne of David, Zedekiah was a descendent of David with a lineal claim upon his throne.  Ammon was therefore an heir of David with at least some claim to the Davidic throne.  Indeed, Ammon had a stronger claim to the throne than did Mosiah whom he served, for Lehi's family had not ceased to be a part of Israel when they came to the Americas.

Hopefully you will forgive the long and boring genealogy, but I think it is significant.  Although my study of history has largely been confined to American history, I know enough about European and Asian history to know that competing claims to authority usually ends up in war and bloodshed.  What's more, most strong men and women who have a legitimate claim to a throne usually don't allow somebody else to rule in their place.  And they certainly don't become dutiful servants of those other rulers.  But Ammon did.

I have often wondered what it was like for Ammon to be in this position of being an heir of David, with a legitimate right to rule in Israel (of which the Nephites were a part), but nevertheless being a faithful servant of Mosiah.  Furthermore, I have wondered what it was like for Mosiah to fully trust such a mighty and strong man with legitimate claims to the throne he (Mosiah) occupied.  Like David and Jonathan before them, we see only faithfulness and trust between these two men who might have been enemies.  Far from leading wars of rebellion in search of power, Ammon led what turned out to be a rescue mission that answered the prayers and pleadings of a lost group of Nephites.

In one way or another, all of us will have occasion to play the role of Ammon in our lives.  We all have moments when we are perhaps asked to follow and support someone who seems less talented or less qualified than us.  We may, at times, be asked to serve rather than lead, even though we know that we could get the job done well if we were asked to lead.  Similarly, in one way or another, all of us will have occasion to play the role of Mosiah and be asked to lead a person who may be more qualified than we see ourselves as being.  Like Mosiah we will have to be humble and trusting of such individuals, making good use of their strong talents and giving them opportunities to utilize them without fearing their stealing the spotlight and the mantle of leadership.  At one point or another, we will all have to come to a full realization of the truth spoken by the Lord that "all have not every gift given unto them . . . and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God.  To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby" (D&C 46:11-12).

May we all learn to appreciate the gifts of others and also to serve in the callings to which we are appointed and uphold and sustain those who are called to preside over us.  By so doing, we will gain the power to rescue lost souls and to build the Kingdom of God on earth.

Brett

"Oh There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays"

Nana and Papa Haycock's 50th Wedding Anniversary, the Lion House

I'm hoping that the members of my family who see this picture will not be upset with me for posting such an excellent example of why the 1980s were amazing.  But it was the only picture I could really think of to exemplify what Thanksgiving has meant to me in my life.

I think I'm at that point in the semester where my brain its an automatic shutoff point and refuses to think of anything unless it is absolutely forced to do so.  Hence, when I got home from Church today I could not think of anything interesting to write about other than to wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving has been one of my favorite holidays ever since I was a little boy.  Of course it helps that turkey is one of my favorite meals and, like Presidents Brigham Young and Joseph Fielding Smith, I absolutely love eating pie.  But more than anything, Thanksgiving has always signified family to me.  When I was a young boy, we would go up to Bountiful and spend the day at my Nana and Papa's House.  It was always a wonderful day of being with my family and having a chance to reflect on just how much the Lord has given me (though I probably didn't do too good a job of that when I was a kid).

Thanksgiving has taken on a greater meaning to me since I moved to Texas.  Last year I was so blessed to be able to spend the day with my sister Stephanie and my brother-in-law John in Georgia.  They were so kind a gracious to me and showed me all around Georgia in the process.  It was one of my favorite Thanksgivings because I had been so lonely for family and they made that trip so wonderful for me.  This Thanksgiving, I get to go back home and spend the time with my family and with Julianne!  I am so excited for Tuesday!  Even a 6 am flight is enjoyable because it means that I get to be home for just a few more hours by taking an early flight!  There truly is "no place like home for the holidays."

This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for:
1) The Gospel of Jesus Christ and my Father's plan for our salvation.
2) A family that has always been there for me, including two wonderful parents and three remarkable and beautiful sisters, as trustworthy and faithful a brother as anyone could ask for, a beautiful niece and a handsome nephew, marvelous cousins, aunts, and uncles, and many loved ones beyond the veil who continue to bless my life in profound ways!
3) My beautiful Julianne, who makes me happy in so many different ways.
4) A number of faithful friends, mentors, and neighbors who have taught and blessed me in ways too numerous to list.
5) The blessing of an education and the opportunity to pursue three college degrees.  It is a blessing that I am certain I take far too much for granted.
6) A warm apartment, clothes to wear, and food to eat.  I know that there are so many who have so much less than this.
7) Moments of pure joy, like feeding ducks at the duck pond with Julianne.
8) So many other things that I wish I had time to list.

To all of you who have blessed my life so profoundly, may you please accept my most profound and heart-felt thanks.

Brett

PS:  Check out my awesome white pants and skewed tie!

"They Were In One"

This has certainly been an eventful week.  I must confess that Tuesday night was rather rough on me and I have been in a sort of malaise ever since then.  I do my best to keep my politics to myself because I know how divisive political ideas can be, and I sincerely congratulate any of my friends who through their prayers and study determined that the best course they could follow would be to support President Obama's reelection.  But for me, this has been a very hard week and it has been hard for me not to worry about certain aspects of the nation's future.  (All this is in spite of what I wrote last week, so I suppose I either need to read my own blog or stop making statements about things that I have a hard time doing).

As I struggled through some of these concerns, I had a lot of thoughts go through my mind.  I thought back on Joseph Smith's prophecy about the constitution.  On July 19, 1840, he said, "Even this Nation will be on the very verge of crumbling to pieces and tumbling to the ground.  And when the constitution is upon the brink of ruin this people will be the Staff upon which the Nation shall lean and they shall bear the constitution away from the very verge of destruction."  I am certainly not in any position to say at what point this event will take place, nor at what point the constitution will be on the verge of destruction.  That document and this people have been through many very rough days and have come through before.  Our people have certainly survived much tougher times than anything we are currently experiencing and were not, during those crises, called upon to save the constitution.  But I take Joseph at his word and I believe that at some point, such an event like this will occur.  I must confess, I had thought that this election might have been the beginning of that service to the nation.  But as I reconsidered Joseph's prophecy, I was reminded that Joseph spoke of an entire people, not just a single person stepping forward.  Whenever the day will come for us to preserve the constitution of the United States, it will be as a unified people, with men and women at all levels of society and in numerous positions and most importantly in families and communities, each devoted to the principles of freedom.

It is with regards to such unity that I failed following this election.  All too often, I have allowed political differences to become the way that I see different people, rather than seeing each as a brother or sister, a fellow son or daughter of God.  Following the Lord's visit to the Americas, we are told that "There was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.  And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not have been a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.  There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God" (4 Nephi 1:15-17).  What a wonderful society this sounds like!  By obeying the commandments of God and striving to love and serve their neighbors, the things that united these people became more important than the old prejudices and divisions that had plagued their society.

I couldn't really think of an image for this particular post, but when I saw this picture, it seemed to be perfect.  Perhaps no city in the world has been more divided and troubled than Jerusalem.  It is a center for the world's three largest and most prominent monotheistic religions, all of which claim it as a place which God has given to them.  But in this picture, I see a hope for a future of peace and unity; for a future in which the desire to serve and obey God will matter more than the hurtful wars and difficulties of the past.  It is true that there are plenty of troubling and difficult days ahead of us before the Master returns.  But it is also true that there are many glorious and wonderful days to anticipate as well.  As Elder Maxwell said in the October 1998 General Conference, "Those with true hope still see their personal circumstances shaken at times--like a kaleidoscope.  Yet with the 'eye of faith,' even in their changed, proximate circumstances, they still see divine design."  No matter our circumstances, may we continue to see God's divine designs with the eye of faith.  And then let us work for those designs with faith, hope, charity, and love, laboring with all others who seek to do the work and will of the Lord.

Brett

PS:  Happy birthday tomorrow to my beautiful girlfriend Julianne!  She has been such a profound blessing to me this past year.  Even before we started dating, she kept contact with me after I had moved to Texas and provided me with constant reminders that I had not been forgotten.  Her friendship, kindness, and love have lessened the miles between Utah and Texas.  It is a debt which I do not believe I can ever possibly repay in full.  But I am not ungrateful!  I wish I could be there to celebrate tomorrow.

"The Better Angels of Our Nature"

This has been a wonderful week.  For the first time since August, I was blessed to have a visit from family, as my sister Stephanie came into town for a conference.  I got to see her presentation, which was wonderful and insightful.  But more importantly, I got a chance to spend some time with her between Thursday when I picked her up at the airport and this morning when I dropped her back off at the airport.  It is always such a blessing to have some time with family when you have been away from home.  I was reminded once again just how blessed and lucky I am to have such a wonderful family.

Howard Chandler Christy, "Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States," 1940

I know that most of you, like me, have probably had enough of this election and are just ready for it to be finished.  Without fail, I get to this point every election season because I have usually made up my mind who I will be voting for by early September, meaning that I am the recipient of two months of absolute torture after my mind has been made up.  But in spite of my yearnings to have all of the polls and ads disappear, I do think that this is an important election, and yes, even the most important election of my life.  (Before you quit reading, please know that this isn't a post endorsing one candidate or another).

Let me explain.  I believe that this is the most important election of my life because it is the current election.  Our lives will not be influenced nearly as much by the elections of 2004 or 1992 or 1968 nearly so much as they will be affected by this current election.  Whatever have been the results of the past, they do not change our opportunities to create for ourselves a better and brighter future, and a freer and more just America.  Further, this Tuesday represents our opportunity to keep the principles of the American republic alive.  If we become apathetic and stop voting, we lose our opportunity to influence and shape this wonderful country.  By that act of voting (for whichever candidates we determine to be most meritorious), we declare our willingness to remain involved and to dedicate our service to our nation and our communities.  In this sense, it is an act akin to raising our right arm to sustain the leaders of the Church.

But even as raising our arm to sustain President Monson is not enough to qualify us as disciples of Jesus Christ, so casting our vote in an election booth and doing nothing more will not satisfy the demands of citizenship.  Accepting whatever results may come from the election, we must then put our hands to the plow and go about the work of improving our cities and building a better America.  Nothing concerns me more than the idea that the country's political divisions have become so great that a party must have complete control of Congress and the White House, or the president must issue executive mandates, in order to get anything done.  Compromise and cooperation were two of the most important principles upon which this nation was founded.  And those same principles must continue to define us today.

No matter the results of Tuesday's election--whether your candidates of choice prevail or lose--we must pledge our hands and hearts to the work of making this nation better.

In the dark days following the secession crisis of 1860-61 and immediately preceding the outbreak of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln pled with the nation in his inaugural address, "I am loath to close.  We are not enemies, but friends.  We must not be enemies.  Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.  The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battle-field, and patriot grave, to every living heart and hearthstone, all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature" (Abraham Lincoln, Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, 4:263).

Long ago, my Mom and Dad taught me that it is not enough just to be gracious and happy when things go the way I wanted them to.  No matter the outcome of the election, may we all be "touched...by the better angels of our nature."

Brett