Thanks, Mr. Tyndale

Sunday’s Relief Society lesson went well if I do say so myself, not because of anything I did but because of two other reasons: the topic itself and the people in the class. Scripture study was the topic, and class members were as attentive and participative as always. They’re such a delightful group that I think if I said, “Today the lesson’s about the 12 tribes of Israel, and I’m feeling a little inadequate,” they’d come to my rescue…not because they’re a room of know-it-alls and show-offs but because they know why we’re there: to love, encourage, and support one another. After all, they're Eve's sisters.

The lesson was about scripture(s), and as I began to read and prepare, I was amazed at the things I learned and the things I was reminded of. Admittedly, I often take the scriptures for granted. I think most people do. Yet there was a time in the not too far distant past when ordinary people like us didn’t have access to the Bible, much less any other books of scripture.

In my preparation, I learned of a man named William Tyndale who was strangled and then burned at the stake for translating and publishing the Bible in English. This happened in 1536, not even 500 years ago, and while that seems like a long time, it really isn’t. An educated man, Tyndale spoke eight languages and was a member of the Catholic clergy. Distressed that the common man had no access to the scriptures, Tyndale sought church approval to translate the Bible into English. After being denied approval, he fled to Germany, and with the help of friends, translated and published the Old and New Testaments and smuggled published copies into England. Tyndale’s work is the foundation for the King James Version of Bible.

William Tyndale isn’t the only person to whom we owe a debt of gratitude, but he’s the one I’m thinking of this afternoon. I’m thinking of how this man was willing to sacrifice his life because of his unwavering commitment to make the words of God available for all people…or at least the English speaking ones. And yet today many people take this great book for granted…or perhaps don’t even realize its importance. It sits on a shelf gathering dust instead of enlightening the minds of its owners.

Today we not only have the King James Version of the Bible, but we also have several other versions. On my shelf is a version of the New Testament entitled The Message which reads like a narrative. I also have a copy of the Women’s Devotional Bible, a gift from my sister. Being LDS, I have copies of The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. I can also access the words from all of these books (and many more) online. Heck, I can even have daily scripture messages sent to my hotmail address, and they show up on my cell phone. How convenient is that? I truly have no excuse not to read and ponder.

It occurs to me that one of the reasons the scriptures are so readily available is that perhaps God is trying to send us a message. Maybe He thinks we need instruction, inspiration, guidance, and peace more than ever. I love the Young Women’s theme this year, probably because of the encouragement it offers. The theme comes from Joshua 1:9, and it fills me with hope. “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

Be strong. Be tough. Be strong. You’re not alone…not ever.

Sunday Thoughts

We have a unique and wonderful practice in the LDS church in that members have the opportunity to share their testimonies with each other on the first Sunday of each month. The meeting itself is referred to as Fast and Testimony meeting because after abstaining from food and water for two meals, members then give the money they would have spent on those meals to the church welfare program.

It’s a great plan, a divinely inspired one. I’m not saying that everyone is perfect and that all fast, pray, donate, and bear their testimonies each month, but I am saying that the majority do…at least from my vantage point. Well, there are probably more who donate fast offerings that who actually fast and there are undoubtedly more who have testimonies than those who bear them. After all, it takes courage to walk to the front and speak before a couple of hundred people (or more, depending on the size of the ward).

That said, today I watched a little 10 year old brave his way towards the stage and felt inspired by him. If a child can do it, so can I. When I sat beside him to wait our turns, I whispered, “You’re my role model.” He smiled. I looked to my right and saw Sophia seated at the organ. We exchanged glances, and before I knew it, she was seated beside me, also waiting her turn. A moment later, Telene joined us on the stand. That’s another great thing about the church: We do a lot of encouraging and supporting. Later, Lisa bore a heartfelt testimony and mentioned that her father had once told her that if you stop learning and “climbing,” you’re just coasting. Who wants to do that?

Here’s an abbreviated version of the testimony that I bore today. I know that God is our Heavenly Father and that Jesus is His Son. I believe that the Bible is the word of God and that we can find answers to all of life’s questions and mysteries in the scriptures. I also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God and that it’s another testament of Jesus Christ. I believe that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon and that he was the first in a long line of holy latter-day prophets. I believe that Thomas S. Monson is the Lord’s prophet upon the earth today and that his counsel will never lead us astray. He's asked us to serve others and to be more forgiving. Can anyone find fault with that????

Some people think prophets must wear robes, have long white beards, and carry staffs (or something akin to that). I wonder if these people would listen to President Monson more closely if he looked like that. I don’t think so; in fact, I think someone would try to lock him up. Some say that prophets can only be found within the pages of the Bible. Why would that be so? Don’t we need direction today just as much as people did thousands of years ago? And don’t you think that the things we need to hear might be a little different? While I believe that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, I think that the Israelites needed to hear about taking care of mildew and that we need to know about the perils of pornography. And I don’t think God would leave us wondering about these issues.

Back to today, one of the many things I love about the church is that we learn SO MUCH from each other. I especially enjoy F & T Meeting because I learn a little more about my church family and a lot more about how the gospel of Jesus Christ is helping them in their lives. Usually, I’m on the receiving end of the equation; today I gave a little in that I shared my feelings about my Creator, Christ’s atoning sacrifice, and the gospel of Jesus Christ. I mentioned that I’ve made a lot of decisions in my life, some good and some not. However, the BEST decision I ever made was to join this great church 25 years ago. It’s made all the difference in the paths I walk and in the lives of my children and grandchildren.