White Fire!

 I love Fire.  To me, fire is a mystery and a wonder.  It is clear, yet ephemerally solid.  It brings light and warmth to any environment.  Fire can save lives, if controlled.  Just as easily, it can destroy pretty much everything if left to its own device.  It can cleanse and purify, as well as burn to ashes.  It is little wonder to me, having found comfort in the cold of winter before a warm crackling fire, that the Spirit of God too burns "like a fire."  The Spirit often speaks through a "burning" feeling.  When we receive the Holy Ghost, it is known as the "Baptism of Fire". Throughout scripture, whenever God shows His power from Heaven, He shows it by bringing the fire.

  I have had the wonderful opportunity to recently begin training a brand new missionary.  To anyone who has trained, or even been in close proximity with, a new missionary, they've more than likely experienced the phenomenon known as "Greenie Fire".

 Greenie Fire is powerful.  It can overcome any contact's resistance by sheer will and desire to share our message!  It can face any and all opposition with inerrant optimism!  It can tract all day in 100+ degree summer days, and still want to skip dinner!  It can't be deterred by dogs, flat tires, no mail, angry yells, and slammed doors. It is a flame that is bright and hot, and it is contagious, especially to other missionaries.  It is a wonderful spiritual "new car smell" reserved only for those fresh to the mission field.


My boy, Elder Longstaff.


 What makes Greenie Fire so wonderful, and new missionaries so powerful, is that they are completely uncomfortable and new at missionary work.  They don't know how to tract. They've never taught a 25 year old single mother about the Law of Chastity.  They've never even invited someone on the street to be baptized!  They are completely new.  Therefore, they rely completely on the Lord.  They aren't afraid to do any of the aforementioned missionary activities, because they know the Lord will help them.

  Yet, as with any flame, the Greenie Fire begins to fade.  As the missionary gains experience, learns the lessons, and can contact just about anyone on the street, the work becomes easier.  Familiar.  Comfortable.  Faith in what the Lord can accomplish through you is replaced by confidence in things you have accomplished.
  And so, who is the better missionary: the inexperienced "Greenie" overflowing with enthusiasm, or the seasoned veteran who is capable and experienced?

 In my opinion, one is not better than the other.  But a missionary that is both would be truly powerful.

  Imagine if a missionary were to keep that Fire in their heart their whole mission!  Even with all the experience and lessons and contacts and baptisms that come over time, they relied solely on the Lord with reckless, desperate abondon!  The Greenie Fire would give way to something that burns much hotter.  A more refined Fire that is controlled, powerful, and Divine.

 This is White Fire.

 White Fire isn't just for missionaries, either.  It comes from an insatiable desire to do good.  It is that power, that light, that certain people seem to carry with them.  They bring warmth to all those around them, and they attract weatherworn souls as a moth is drawn to a flame.  We all see these people.  If you are like me, you want to be like those people.  This light isn't some magic trick, it isn't solely personality either (although I know that certainly helps, sometimes).  It is because these people follow the Master.

 I testify that we can all have this power!  We can all have this light!  The Spirit of God is for everyone; everyone can feel the warmth of it's flame.  All we have to do is follow the Savior, trust in the Father, and seek the Spirit.
 Then all will be able to feel your White Fire.

Nerd's Eye View: Episode IV

Goin' Solo

Pride.  In one way or another, everyone has struggled with it.  In the words of President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Every mortal has at least a casual if not intimate relationship with the sin of pride. No one has avoided it; few overcome it... When our hearts are filled with pride, we commit a grave sin, for we violate the two great commandments. Instead of worshipping God and loving our neighbor, we reveal the real object of our worship and love—the image we see in the mirror."

 Now, of all the characters in Star Wars, one of my favorites is Han Solo.  When we first meet him in a grungy cantina on Tatooine, we find that he's quick to boast and quicker to draw his blaster.  He pilots the Millenium Falcon, a ship that "made the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs," which is quite a feat.  He's skilled, for sure, and he knows it.
 No doubt Han had relied on himself his whole life, save his trusty companion Chewbacca.  He remarks to Luke and Obi Wan, “Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no substitute for a good blaster at your side."  There are many, like Han, who share that sentiment.  "Who needs religion and old books in these days?  Just live every day to the fullest!"  We all have skills, talents, and abilities.  We all have survived our own personal trials, failures, and bounty hunters, and still came out on top!  We don't need anyone but ourselves to find happiness and success in life.
 Sounds pretty good, right?
 If you've ever felt that way, you were going through life Solo.

 On the other hand, we see Luke.  Young, inexperienced, though modestly talented at being a pilot back home, his pure heart and humility instantly wins us over.  Although he can be a bit headstrong and whiney, he steadily learns to rely on more than just himself, but to trust more in the force.

 Through their adventures together, these two men learn from each other and foster a friendship.  Through Luke's humble example, we see a change come over the heart of Han Solo. 
 As Luke prepares to leave with the rebels in a desperate run to destroy the Death Star, Han prepares to leave with his reward money.  Luke remarks angrily as he is leaving,  "Take care of yourself Han. I guess that's what you're best at isn't it?" As Luke storms off, Han replies, "Hey, Luke. May the Force be with you."

 Han later saves Luke's life, and assists him in destroying the Death Star.  Han learns the necessity of helping others, and of being helped by others.

 May we all learn to rely on the Spirit. May we think a little less about ourselves, and do a little bit more for others. To quote President Uchtdorf one more time,

 "Humility directs our attention and love toward others and to Heavenly Father’s purposes. Pride does the opposite... there are so many people in need whom we could be thinking about instead of ourselves. And please don’t ever forget your own family, your own wife. There are so many ways we could be serving. We have no time to become absorbed in ourselves."

 The Lord is eager to help us and guide us, and there are many who can help, and be helped, by us.  There is no need to go through life solo!

May the Spirit be with you!