Literary Geek-Out!

Alright, class!  Today we're going to learn about one of the coolest things ever--literary devices!!  Aren't you STOKED?!  You should be.

(**NOTE: As an English major, it is my privilege and honor to work in the medium of words.  I don't know how to sculpt or paint; I don't know a thing about electrical, plumbing, or auto-mechanics; I work in words.  So when I discover something fun about words or something I've read, I get all giddy inside and can't help but share it with everyone so they can enjoy it too!  Right?**)

Today's literary device is the elusive chiasmus (keye-AZ-muss)!  It is a syntactical structure following an ABCBA format, adding emphasis to a certain concept by placing related words and/or phrases in a reversal pattern around the crux.  Confused yet?  Think of it as an ice cream cone with a chocolatey filling at the bottom--you work your way down on both sides until you get to the center.  Let me give you an example.

I was reading in 2 Nephi 2 (Book of Mormon pg. 57) this morning, which outlines in great detail the role of Jesus Christ's sacrifice in our eventual returning to live with God (you'll have to read the whole thing on your own to get the full picture.  Facebook message me when you do so we can talk about it!).  I only got through the first 11 verses because it was so chock full of great stuff I ran out of time!  Verses 5-9 talk about how we are utterly dependent upon Christ to be able to be redeemed from our mistakes because when we sin we are unclean and no unclean thing can dwell in God's presence--that's the law.  God is perfectly "just" (think "justice") and also perfectly "merciful".  What Christ did fulfills that law by His shouldering the burden of justice and thereby satisfying the claims of mercy as well (by allowing us to repent) so God can continue to be both perfectly just and perfectly merciful.  Ya dig?

OK.  Here's the chiasmus in verse 10:

A   Wherefore, the ends of the law (we can't be saved without Christ) which [God] hath given...
      B unto the inflicting of the punishment which is affixed...
          C in opposition to
     B that of the happiness which is affixed
A  to answer the ends of the atonement (Christ shoulders the burdens of our sins so we can be redeemed)

The crux, the central focus and operative word in all of that is the word opposition.  In verses 11-16, Lehi goes on to explain that without hard things in life, we could never appreciate the sweet things in life.  How could you know what a good day feels like unless you've had a few bad ones?  How can we know to avoid sin and stupid choices unless we feel bad when we make them, so we'll know to make good choices instead?  Opposition is critical for our learning; we would never grow if we never faced challenges.  This chiasmus teaches us that the law is fulfilled by the Atonement, happiness is opposed to that punishment, and when we go through opposition, we are able to access the healing power of the Atonement by drawing closer to Christ, our only hope in having the demands of justice and mercy both satisfied on our behalf.

My friends, let us not "curse God and die" when we are faced with difficulty.  Christ has overcome all and will grant us "the happiness which is affixed" when we come unto Him, repent, and endure our opposition--our trials, bad consequences, sicknesses, etc.-- with faith in Him and in our Father's Plan for us.

Much Love,

Elder Spendlove

PS I hope that all made sense!  Seriously, message me on facebook if you want to discuss more!  :)

"He Hath Filled Me with His Love..."

You know, sometimes life is just hard.  As a missionary, there are a lot of things that worry me and that can get in the way of my happiness.  Whether it's my personal weaknesses, the choices of others, or if it's just the way the cookie crumbles, I am (as I know all of you are) faced daily with things that are just not very fun to deal with.  Nephi, a Book of Mormon Prophet, felt similarly.  Even though he was a man of great faith and spirituality, a man whose relationship with his Father in Heaven could not be considered shallow, he exclaimed, "O wretched man that I am!...my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.  I am encompassed about by the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.  And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins" (2 Nephi 4:17-19).  Do you ever feel like that?  Do you ever feel "encompassed about" by bad choices, whether yours or others', temptations, trials, or just the everyday beatings of life?  Yeah.  Me too.  But check out what Nephi says at the end of verse 19: "nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted" (emphasis added).  Wow.  Isn't that great?  He knows in Whom he has trusted--his Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, the Savior.  Then he goes on to talk about all the great things the Lord has done for him (this is where I got the title of my blog--verse 21!),  giving one of the most beautiful testimonies/prayers of the heart in all of scripture.  I invite you to read the rest of this chapter; it's so powerful.  I know that your Father in Heaven will answer your prayers and your yearnings too.  Even though life is really hard sometimes and you just want to throw in the towel, remember that there is One Who suffered for not just your sins, but your pains, weaknesses, sadnesses, heartaches, and insecurities (see also Alma 7:11-13 in the Book of Mormon and Isaiah 53:3-5 in the Old Testament).  Jesus Christ knows how you feel.  He has felt the sorrows of your heart.  And guess what--He wants you to run to Him. 

"Awake my soul!  No longer droop in sin.  Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my peace." (v. 28)  I hope that this post has helped any of you who are feeling down.  I know that whenever I feel depressed, I can turn to my Savior, Who picks me up and helps me get going again.  And the best part about it is we have all of the answers to the deep, yearning questions of our souls in the scriptures.  The Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the words of modern-day prophets are all there so we can know of the promises the Lord has given us if we follow Him.  You can follow Him too. 

Have you had any "questions of the soul" you can't seem to get answered?  Comment below and I'll do my best to answer them from the scriptures.  And keep in mind that sometimes personal questions take time, faith, and lots of prayer and study of the scriptures to answer--I will do my best to point you in the right direction.  I can testify in the name of the Author of all peace, Jesus Christ, that there is peace to be found, there are answers to be had.  Have faith and seek diligently, "for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened" (Matthew 7:8).

MUCH LOVE,

Elder Spendlove