In Be Kind there was one important context excluded: it was the command to write.1Command is a strong word. This is intended to imply something a bit more compelling and enduring than “personal revelation” or “inspiration”.
I Loath Writing.2Having reread this post today (a month after writing it) the numerous, blatant errors are obvious. I truly tried to do a good job. I even had someone proof it. I’m not going to fix it; it makes the point so very well. I mean, damn!
This is not a one-off. The battle with the command to write existed long before I began this blog, though the blog is an admittedly poor attempt to fulfill3In actually, a glass 1/1000th full. the direction given. In the current context, there is a certain intrinsic contradiction to the idea of “being kind” to myself though writing.4Yes, of course this is taken with a short-term, or single mortality perspective. Yes, of course, being kind to someone isn’t necessarily giving them what they want. Should one then cut themselves so that scar tissue can heal the wound? Additionally, there is no desire to be identified through writing, more especially bad writing. Besides, we all struggle with narcissism and society already has more than sufficient number of vain-glorious seekers attempting to promote themselves. Why feed that monster? Who is this for, anyway? Me? That sounds sufficiently self-centered. Others? Really? Why don’t I just go out and be of actual service to someone? Can you think of the one instance of where the Savior and our ultimate example is found writing?5John 8:4–6 — They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. Of course we can’t rationalize this in light of the many times Jesus commands prophets to write.6Book of Mormon examples: 2 Nephi 29:11; 2 Nephi 33:11; 3 Nephi 16:4; 3 Nephi 23:13; 3 Nephi 24:1; 3 Nephi 26:12; 3 Nephi 30:1; Ether 4:1; But, did you notice that they are commanded to write HIS words? I could go on for years like this. I have. That is the history of the dilemma.
Over decades, the desire to spiritually progress has been in direct conflict with the consistent response to “what lack I yet?”7Matthew 19:16–20: And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? This was never a battle I could win, only one that I could postpone or otherwise lose. Procrastination eventually led to outright avoiding (i.e., ignoring, denying8D&C 11:25 — Deny not the spirit of revelation, nor the spirit of prophecy, for wo unto him that denieth these things[.]) the Spirit. No justifications are offered. This was conscience rebellion.9Mosiah 2:36–37 — And now, I say unto you, my brethren, that after ye have known and have been taught all these things, if ye should transgress and go contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord, that it may have no place in you to guide you in wisdom’s paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved — I say unto you, that the man that doeth this, the same cometh out in open rebellion against God; therefore he listeth to obey the evil spirit, and becometh an enemy to all righteousness; therefore, the Lord has no place in him, for he dwelleth not in unholy temples. I dug my own grave. The result was unadulterated, visceral, palpable darkness.
That is where Be Kind begins.
Footnotes:
- 1Command is a strong word. This is intended to imply something a bit more compelling and enduring than “personal revelation” or “inspiration”.
- 2Having reread this post today (a month after writing it) the numerous, blatant errors are obvious. I truly tried to do a good job. I even had someone proof it. I’m not going to fix it; it makes the point so very well. I mean, damn!
- 3In actually, a glass 1/1000th full.
- 4Yes, of course this is taken with a short-term, or single mortality perspective. Yes, of course, being kind to someone isn’t necessarily giving them what they want. Should one then cut themselves so that scar tissue can heal the wound?
- 5John 8:4–6 — They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
- 6Book of Mormon examples: 2 Nephi 29:11; 2 Nephi 33:11; 3 Nephi 16:4; 3 Nephi 23:13; 3 Nephi 24:1; 3 Nephi 26:12; 3 Nephi 30:1; Ether 4:1;
- 7Matthew 19:16–20: And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
- 8D&C 11:25 — Deny not the spirit of revelation, nor the spirit of prophecy, for wo unto him that denieth these things[.]
- 9Mosiah 2:36–37 — And now, I say unto you, my brethren, that after ye have known and have been taught all these things, if ye should transgress and go contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord, that it may have no place in you to guide you in wisdom’s paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved — I say unto you, that the man that doeth this, the same cometh out in open rebellion against God; therefore he listeth to obey the evil spirit, and becometh an enemy to all righteousness; therefore, the Lord has no place in him, for he dwelleth not in unholy temples.