Heavenly Father Likes Potato Salad

I believe The One Hypothesis to be correct.

Generally, I try to include a reasonable degree of personal sacred experiences, erring on the side of slightly too much rather than too little, but certainly not everything. For a moment here, I turn off that filter.

Filter off

My morning prayer was singular. A few minutes in, after I arose and began my morning activities, after I had invited Heavenly Father to be with me, the words came clearly: “your sins are forgiven you.”

Filter on

There was more. The joy was inexpressible. I rejoiced in the Savior, having thought about Enos’ question: “Lord, how is it done (Enos 1:7)?” As you might expect, I spent more than a couple of minutes praising, blessing, and otherwise thanking our Father (et. al.). Already, the memory of a life of sin has begun to fade.

That part you can probably understand. This part may be more of a challenge. The “I” above wasn’t really “me,” as in, not just me. That paragraph should more correctly be written such:

There was more. The joy was inexpressible. We rejoiced in the Savior. We pondered Enos’ question: “Lord, how is it done (Enos 1:7)?” As you might expect, we spent more than a couple of minutes praising, blessing, and otherwise thanking our Father (et. al.) in awe and wonder for what was taking place.

But even that isn’t quite correct. Our normal 1st, 2nd, and 3rd person pronouns are inadequate. So, I revert to using the first person, but please recognize that there is no pronoun that is a correct representation here.

After a time, I moved to the kitchen for break-fast. I grabbed a banana and lifted it in gratitude. It is rather inexplicable, but as I continued in prayer, as I enjoyed the taste, the texture, and the aroma, I was aware that He was able to enjoy the same. I marveled. I made some Steven’s hot chocolate. We thoroughly enjoyed that. We then enjoyed some potato salad made last night.

This isn’t some kind of transcendentalism. It transcends that. :- )

I believe the One Hypothesis to be correct.

I believe that I have a small, but singularly significant insight to what the Savior taught, and John expounded upon regarding His being One with the Father. I believe that having the Holy Spirit as a constant companion cannot be accomplished independent of being one with God. I believe that this is what leads to “no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually (Mosiah 5:2).”  I believe that this is the only way to have “[Christ’s] joy fulfilled in [our]selves (John 17:13).” I believe that we can only obtain this through the glory of God.

And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: (John 17:22)

I believe that only in this way may we be perfected.

 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one
(John 17:23)

I believe that only in this way may we truly understand the love of God, perfect our love for Him and for each other.

Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them. (John 17:24–26)

These things I now believe. I plan to put all this to the test. I proceed in the hope and faith that I may come to know Them, that I may learn to know Him.

A week or so ago, His voice told me that I needed to be baptized. I have wondered ever since what that meant. Was I to be baptized by fire and the Holy Ghost? Was I to be baptized to the “doctrine of Christ?” Was I to cut a hole in the ice and immerse myself in the lake? Was this code for needing to be “born again?”

I used to think I understood:

…because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.
8 And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives. (Mosiah 5:7–8)

And, what was their covenant?

…we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually. And we, ourselves, also, through the infinite goodness of God, and the manifestations of his Spirit, have great views of that which is to come; and were it expedient, we could prophesy of all things. And it is the faith which we have had on the things which our king has spoken unto us that has brought us to this great knowledge, whereby we do rejoice with such exceedingly great joy. And we are willing to enter into a covenant with our God to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he shall command us, all the remainder of our days (Mosiah 5:2–5).

This is all quite marvelous. What words can I use? Hallelujah? I find myself mute.

he has poured out his Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with joy, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy (Mosiah 4:20).

Amen.