"Whosoever will Save His Life Shall Lose It"

                (Mark 8:35)



When people go into therapy they are faced with two main problems.  The
first is the issue or issues for which they are entering therapy.  The
second is their need to be open and honest in order to find the root
cause(s) of their problems.  Those people who are honest and forthcoming
usually work through their problems in a relatively short time; while those
who are not, either remain in therapy for much longer, or simply drop out.
What we don't understand is that when we enter the church; when we embrace
the gospel; when we take upon ourselves the name of Christ we are entering
therapy.  The ignorance of our being in therapy allows us to terminate
therapy without ever having to begin it.  Our ignorance allows us to live
"lives of quiet desperation" as we seek, continually, to save our life;
refusing to accept our need to lose it.

            An example comes from Scott Peck's book People of the Lie. '"
Everything seems meaningless,' Charlene complained to me one day.  What is
the meaning of life?" I asked . "How should I know?" she replied with
obvious irritation. . "You're trying to trap me" .  "what (do) Christians
say is the meaning of life" . "We exist for the glory of God," Charlene
said . as if . extracted from her at gunpoint.  "Well?" I asked.  There was
a short silence. . "I cannot do it.  There's no room for me in that.  That
would be my death," she said in a quavering voice.  Then with a suddenness
that frightened me, what seemed to be her choked-back sobs turned into a
roar. "I don't want to live for God.  I will not.  I want to live for me.
My own sake!"  (pgs. 167-8)

            I suspect that Charlene was simply more honest and forthcoming
than most of us.  Whether in secular therapy, or in seeking to follow the
admonition of the scriptures it seems our hardest task is to "confess (y)our
faults one to another". (James 5:16)  I believe this is because faults are
like children, we become very attached to them.  They become a part of us,
and in becoming a part of us, we become unable to differentiate ourselves
from them.  History is replete with instances of children who did not follow
in their parents footsteps.  It is also replete with instances where the
parents could not separate their children from themselves.  It was as if
their children was their life and they were either unable, or unwilling, to
lose their life that they might find their life and live.  So it is with our
faults.

            In a negative world we subconsciously identify with the evil
within us, making it a tantamount confession of "self" to, "confess (y)our
faults one to another". (James 5:16)  That is why therapy is so difficult
because it calls upon one to lose their life in order to find it.  I am
certain that the greatest fear any of us have is to see ourselves face to
face.  I believe everyone to some extent sees themselves as, "Evil people..
Forever fleeing the light of self-exposure and the voice of their own
conscience, they are the most frightened of human beings.  They live their
lives in sheer terror.  They need not be consigned to any hell; they are
already in it" (People of the Lie pg. 67)  This is the living death Jesus
seeks to save us from. we call it life.

             Perhaps the second hardest work in life is to be "willing to
bear one another's burdens, that they may be light". (Alma 18:8)  (Scott
Peck speaks of the burden the therapist takes on as they seek to help
others.) Although this sounds relatively simple it is not.  The principles
and actuality of it is simple, but the process is one of greatest difficulty
because of the human propensity for avoidance while maintaining a façade of
compliance.  In order for there to be true compliance (as in therapy) one
must exercise the utmost honesty and introspection, not only inwards, but
towards others as well.

             Joseph Smith understood this and sought to deal with it within
the Council of Fifty.  He "taught the Council of Fifty the ancient plan of
how the "restoration of Union and peace" amongst officials of the Government
of God could be achieved. Theoretically, if members of the Council of Fifty
could not fellowship one another, their deliberations would be fruitless. If
they were at odds one with another they would be unable to be the "Spokesmen
of God," even if they ostensibly followed the rules of the Kingdom. The
positive advantages of strict privacy regarding Council of Fifty
deliberation, then provided assurance to Council members that they could,
without fear of exposure or public ridicule, freely and fully express their
hesitancy or bad feelings for other Council members, Joseph Smith's belief
that such complete fellowship had to exist between members of the
legislature of the Kingdom of God impelled him to institute what I call
"Fellowship of the Council" meetings."  (BYU Studies, vol. 20 (1979-1980),
Number 3 - Spring 1980, p.277)

                        Bad feelings will infect any group with division and
factionism.  It will destroy the oneness, the fellowship, that is essential
to a Zion society, i.e. the Kingdom of God.  Serious effort and deliberation
needs to exist when dealing with the wrongs and injustices that we as human
beings tend to heap upon one another.  When it comes to seeking justice for
wrongs, intentional, unintentional, as well as those simply perceived (the
cause of bad feelings) each person must sit in judgment.  As if it were a
trial they must garner all the information they can regarding all aspects of
the situation; this includes information concerning the individuals
involved, their character, and, if possible, their motives in any action
they have taken, or are pursuing.  Also, whenever one is wronged they must
be ready to face themselves as well as the wrongdoer.  Why?  Because
anything that an individual finds offensive has the potential of actually
being something that resides within the self that is faulty, failing, or
wrong.  Until a trial is held, evidence given, with the accused given the
right of defense, there can be no verdict of guilty; and no one can be
forgiven of something they have not been convicted of.  It is a faulty
pseudo Christianity that permeates Christianity at large.  In reality it is
a doctrine that allows for the most horrid accusations and convictions to
take place without the benefit of judge, jury, or evidence; and then a
benevolent forgiveness which tends to leave the perpetuator of the above
with a smugness and righteousness that places him above his fellow
creatures.  All of which can be traced back to a me me me mentality that
stands in direct opposition to the kingdom and glory of God; a sincere
attempt to cling to our selfish self-serving life that only serves us vilely
in allowing us to lose the life in Christ which alone is life.  The concept
of fellowship, and "fellowship of the Council" meetings is the vehicle in
overcoming these evil human tendencies.  This is possibly the most critical
of issues in bringing about the Kingdom of God.

            The restoration of the House of Israel has not been
accomplished, the kingdom of God has not been established, and the Zion of
our Father does not exist, Yet the Lord in D&C 101:75 says, "There is even
now already in store sufficient, yea, even an abundance, to redeem Zion .
were the churches, who call themselves after my name, willing to hearken
after my voice."  I suggest that the reason the churches are not willing to
hearken to the voice of God is because they are listening to other voices.
Voices that are unwilling to give glory to God.  Voices that facilitate
their worship of the God of Mammon.  Yes Mammon!  In II Nephi he says, "the
laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion; for if they labor for money they shall
perish."  Mammon is defined as riches, but that reality is only one of the
symptoms that comes from me-ism.  As long as it is all about "me" Zion hasn'
t got a chance.  D&C 119 speaks of God requiring the people's surplus
property. " by this law sanctify the land of Zion unto me".  The issue
though is really not about property; it is about self.  Many have given
much, if not all, but have still failed to give themselves.  It is amazing
how so many early saints gave so very, very much, but then allowed small and
petty things to dissuade them from continuing on.  It is the "self" that
does not allow Zion to be; it is the "self" that is unwilling to be equal
with others; it is the "self" that wishes to be the center of the universe,
that cannot give the glory to God, because. "there is no room in me for
that."

            A willingness, and desire, to bear one another's burdens, both
physical and spiritual is the essential element that will lead us to Zion.
The only way this can be accomplished is upon a basis of fellowship, which
fellowship signifies an openness and equality among all parties.  The only
way this can be accomplished is by placing all things on trial or in a true
and honest judgment.  The only way this can be done is for all parties to be
willing to face themselves, which is the most fearful aspect of life; as
they in reality follow the example of Jesus on the cross, and willingl lose
their life that they might find life anew in our Lord and Savior Christ
Jesus.  And the only way that this can be done is to bear one another's
burdens, both physically and spiritually.

            Until we are willing to face ourselves, confess our faults, bear
the burdens of our brethren, and be equal before God, and our brethren, we
will continue to worship the God of Mammon, or more specifically ourselves.
We don't worship Satan or Lucifer, but we worship the concept.  "Give all
the glory to me", and the riches, and positions, and etc. etc. etc.

            It is a sad thought of people being so afraid of what they might
find in themselves that they will not look.  I am afraid I may have to admit
to all my evil, perverted, and disgusting thoughts and feelings, and that is
painful to bear.  Yet Jesus has said, Whosoever will save his life shall
lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life . the same shall save it" (Mark
8:35)  Saint Theresa of Lysieux must have understood this when she wrote,
"If you are willing to serenely bear the trial of being displeasing to
yourself, then you will be for Jesus a pleasant place of shelter."  If Zion
is to be this then must be our goal.