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Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Disney Dose: Alice's Dilemma

Here's an insight on Elder Spendlove:  Elder Spendlove is a Disney FANATIC (and he doesn't like speaking in third person...so I'm gonna stop now)!!  I've been watching Disney movies, going to DisneyLand, singing Disney songs, and impersonating Disney characters since I was knee-high to a grasshopper!  I'm kind of a big fan.

So as I go about my day-to-day as a missionary, when inspiration strikes, oftentimes it takes a little of its color from a Disney movie and/or a correlation between a Disney movie and a life truth are immediately formed.  So I'll be doing a few posts that will revolve around Disney movies and the eternal significance therein.  (**NOTE:  Oh, and don't worry--I'll be finishing A Pearl of Great Price here pretty quick too.  Just gotta wait for those creative insights to strike.  But I promise--it will be soon).

SO!  With that drawn-out introduction, here's my not-so-drawn-out thought:

Remember that part in Alice in Wonderland where Alice is trying to find her way out of the creepy woods?  She comes to this fork in the road with a tree upon which is tacked all of these arrow signs pointing every which way.  She stands there for a second trying to figure out which way is right, when of a sudden the Cheshire Cat shows up and she asks (in so many words), "Which path should I follow?"  He then asks her where she's trying to get.  She says she doesn't know, to which the Cat responds, "If you don't know where you want to go, it doesn't matter what path you take!"

In our lives many times we face similar crossroads.  We are here in this life trying to make it, to have successful lives and jobs and families, and above all, to be happy!  God doesn't want us to go in confusion.  Through the scriptures and words of living prophets, we know where we came from (Heaven, in God's presence); why we are here ("to prepare to meet God" [Alma 34:32]; "that [we] might have joy" [2 Nephi 2:25]); and, perhaps most importantly of all, where we are going ("home to that God who gave [us] life" [Alma 40:11])! 

When we know where we are trying to get, it makes the choices we have to make a LOT easier!  We see them in the light of Covey's principle, "begin with the end in mind"--we can ask ourselves "Will this path take me where I want to go--to God's kingdom?"  If yes, then by all means, we should follow it; if no, then we should reevaluate.  And sometimes the choices aren't black and white, are they?  Sometimes our enemy, Lucifer, blurs the line a bit or tempts us against our better judgment.  Gratefully, we have prayer, the scriptures, family, prophets, and the Holy Ghost to guide us when the path is unclear.  God wants as many of His children back as He can get.  He wants us to walk "in the paths of righteousness...the path which leads to the kingdom of God" (Alma 7:19), and He hasn't left us alone.

So if you ever feel like you're Alice at the confusing crossroads of life, look heavenward and ask for some direction.  God answers the sincere, fervent, humble prayer with peace, direction, and an assurance of our eternal destination.


Much Love,

Elder Spendlove

PS Check out what a prophet of God, Thomas S. Monson, has to say about our choices along this path.

Images from:  http://giardinaggioirregolare.wordpress.com/2009/05/15/fiori-e-paesaggi-in-alice-nel-paese-delle-meraviglie-di-walt-disney/

2 comments:

  1. I LOVE IT! when the gospel and disney meet its like music to my ears! i love knowing that i can pray and Heavenly Father will answer my prayers on which path to take! great post Elder Spendlove!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great post and insight. I will think about your post in a few weeks when we go to Disneyland! We love you!!!!

    ReplyDelete

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