Why Read?

I LOVE to read. And I've been able to do a lot more of it in the past couple weeks than I have in a long time. So much so that I was almost tired of reading. Gasp, I can't believe I just typed that, or that I ever thought it!

As I was putting down the book I was reading on the bus home for a little break, I got to thinking about why I like to read, here is what I came up with:

- To slow down
- To escape
- To learn
- To grow
- To discover
- To experience
- For fun
- To pass the time
- To feel
- Because I love it
- To learn how others think/ feel
- To become someone else
- To visit a new place/ time
- To forget
- To remember

I'm sure there are many more reasons and I know there are different reasons I read different types of books. I also realized that taking a break to think and process what was read and how it relates to life and other things I've read is just as enjoyable as reading itself ...

Now I want to know, why do you read?

You just don't understand

This concept has come up a few times in the books I've been reading lately and in conversations and thoughts I've had.

It's true. I don't understand what it's like to grow up in different circumstances. I don't understand why people think, say, and do some of the things they do. I don't understand how things make people feel, and I don't know the experiences they have had in their lives that lead to those feelings or reactions.

That does not, however, mean that I don't want to, or that I'm not trying to.

What I have wished lately is that I could understand more. And that people would help each other understand more - trust and share and be willing to be vulnerable sometimes so that people can understand more.

Strengthened to Abound?

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13

This has been a very familiar scripture to me. When I was in college I worked in our Financial Aid Department and they had a little book of quotes/ scriptures that I read sometimes when things were slow. This verse is one I actually have memorized. I find it to be very powerful. Sometimes I believe it more fully than others and act on it more or less successfully at various points in my life. However, I have never known it in context till now.

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound; every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:11-13

In my mind verse 13 had always meant "I can do hard things" or "Christ will make difficult things easier for me as I rely on him."

I think that is still true. Now I also think there is much more to this verse. Christ can help us be content with ANY circumstances. I do not believe that means he wants us to settle for mediocre. Nor do I think that means we are not expected to work hard or push through incredibly difficult things to come out stronger on the other side. I do think these verses are teaching us that Christ can help us navigate life successfully - no matter what is currently being placed before us, or what is placed in front of us in the future.

Along this vein - some people really want a lot of money. I never have. I have always said money is a curse I don't want to deal with and a burden I don't want to hand down to my children. I do want enough money to live comfortably, and to be able to have some wonderful experiences, but I just have never wanted to have so much money it can be taken for granted and a high standard of living is expected. But Paul just taught me "I know how to abound" and "I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry." So, through Christ, I could successfully navigate both remaining humble while having a lot and not becoming bitter if I do not.

I like verse 13 even more now that I have some added context and deeper understanding about it. I hope to more fully rely on Christ in all things and allow him to instruct and strengthen me.

Lessons Learned at Westminster Abbey

Today after attending worship services at an LDS chapel near Hyde Park my travel buddy, a friend from another phase of life, and an acquaintance of my travel buddy who we randomly ran into went and explored a bit. We decided to participate in Evensong at Westminster Abbey.

As we walked down the hall, I noticed a beautiful alter cover that had "All Shall Be Well" stitched into the side. A feeling a peace entered my heart. Indeed, all shall be well. On this journey, I have been continually reminded of how blessed I am. How grateful I am for my wonderful life and the myriad of opportunities that I have enjoyed thus far in my life.

As part of the service, those in attendance faced east and recited The Apostles' Creed:

I believe in God the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead and buried;
he descended into hell;
the third day he rose again from the dead,
he ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost;
the holy catholic Church;
the communion of saints;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body;
and the life everlasting. Amen.

While I can't say I agree with everything above, there is so much in this passage that rings true with what I personally believe, and that is so beautifully put. I find the lines "was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead and ascended into heaven" particularly moving.

I believe that is true. As Peter said in 1 Peter 3:19: "...he went and preached to the spirits in prison". I believe that after death our souls go to a spirit world and that world is divided into a spirit prison and a spirit paradise. It seems very likely to me these are not necessarily different physical locations, but are denoted by a mental and emotional feeling our souls have based on our choices during our moral life and the increased knowledge we gain as we leave this life. I also thought about some of the words of Joseph F Smith on this subject found in Doctrine and Covenants 138. I am incredibly grateful that Jesus Christ was willing to descend below all things so that each of us has the opportunity to choose to rise above all things through the aid of His atoning sacrifice!

As we were waiting for the Evensong to begin, I was reading the front of the program which included the following "Whether you are Anglican (Episcopalian), or of another Christian Church or of another faith, or seeking or doubting, you are warmly welcome to take part in the service."

To me, that reflects the life and role that Christ embodied while on this earth. "Come unto me", "blessed are the poor in spirit", "my peace I leave with you" - all invitations expressing that we are welcome.

Thank you Westminster Abbey for making me welcome, for speaking to my soul and deepening my faith in Jesus Christ (and for the beautiful music, sermon and architecture!)