The Secret of Life

The Freedom To Act . . . Unencumbered!

tmbj@cox.net (T. M. Ballantyne, Jr.) — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 02:50:00 +0000

I wish to get right into my subject, so I'll do just that! (In the interim, life is wonderful - as always!) It occurred to me a half-hour or so ago - while reading a piece on the law of attraction - that much good has come into my life since I succeeded in large measure in slaying "the dragon" of unbelief, doubt, and fear. I say "in large measure" because I am far from perfect, and there is an "enemy of our souls" who delights to taunt us with thoughts of our past failings - and the distorted conclusions of our own unworthiness that resulted therefrom.

We can, in fact, become captive to, or enslaved by, our fears - first that we have proven our worthlessness, and second that even still we might lack the courage to right the wrong if the opportunity presented itself. (I had lived with such thoughts for over forty years!)

In part, what liberated me was to realize that I had attracted the events or circumstances that led to my "failure," and that had my thoughts been right beforehand, the events would never have occurred - or, at the very least, I would have known how to respond if they had.

Another thing that helped free me was the understanding that "Perfect love casteth out fear" (1 John 4:18). I understood that if I had truly loved those whom I had feared, as I would love a friend or a brother, that I would not have feared them - even though they would still have been capable of doing me harm. (Fear is a result of feeling separated from someone or something, rather than feeling "one with" that person or thing.)

Finally, what helped to extricate me from my fears was the principle of forgiveness - a natural outgrowth of the principle of love. As I loved those whom I had feared, and freely forgave them for their actions towards me, I was also able to forgive myself for what I had failed to do.

The net result of these various influences was that I felt purged of the darkness and fear (disbelief, in a word) that had surrounded me for years. I believe this cleansing was the direct result of being filled with light and truth, which simply drove the darkness and negativity away. What a profoundly liberating experience it has been!

To sum up my experience, I would say that the "father of lies" had succeeded in getting me to conclude that I was worthless. I had not "stepped up." I had blown it, and as a result my career (in at least one area) was over. There would be no second chance - and consequently I would have to atone or suffer for my "sins." I was plagued with feelings of worthlessness over my failure, but the signal of my life was clearly distressed - albeit below the surface. I tried and even succeeded on the (visible) surface to be positive and confident, but deep down I was a failure, and undeserving of true or overall success. The inevitable result was a sabotaging of my every attempt - no matter how valiant, or how close I came to reaching my goals. I simply couldn't succeed. It "wasn't in the cards," and I knew it - and this continued for some forty years!

Those reading this may not believe it if they know me now; although they may not have believed it had they known me during most of the intervening years. I can only say that I now know that "Perfect love casteth out fear." I also know that God, the Father, and his Son, Jesus Christ, are the source of all light and truth; and that the light which comes from them drives out doubt and fear. We can become perfected in them.

Light dispells darkness. Truth drives out error. Love overcomes fear. Joy replaces sorrow.

The principle of gratitude is eternal. It is a characteristic of godliness. Forgiveness also is a principle of power and perfection. These two cause us to be filled with light - which is the love of God. When we are filled with this light we are also filled with faith.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law" (Galatians 5:22-23).

What I Believe . . . Today

tmbj@cox.net (T. M. Ballantyne, Jr.) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:27:00 +0000

Hello all! What a wonderful day this has been! What a wonderful week! (What a wonderful life!) So, "All is well!" (from the LDS Hymn "Come, Come Ye Saints"). So what is the source of all of this content? It is a knowledge of how things work - or, at least, a belief in how they work. Many things we know, but frequently we are just giving "our best shot."

I don't say any of this with any degree of remorse or skepticism. I am simply acknowledging that very often we jare just going with our best theory - but that's okay! Interspersed with what we believe to be true, there is no doubt much that is true. In the interim, we simply keep studying, and observing, and pondering, and lo and behold, our knowledge of truth grows! So "It's all good!" (My slogan. My motto is: Be the best that you [and I] can be!" - adopted from the now-familiar US Army recruitment statement.)

With that introduction, I will here confess that this post is an experiment. I have no specific subject in mind, but I wanted to see what might "come forth." I have been reading a short book by Genevieve Behrend, a pupil or disciple of Thomas Troward. It is entitled "Attaining Your Desires - By Letting Your Subconscious Mind Work for You" (Originally Published by THE ELIZABETH TOWNE COMPANY, Incorporated. HOLYOKE, MASS., U.S.A. Originally Copyrighted, 1929). It has recently been re-released by Joe Vitale, and he is offering it as a free e-book. (You may email me at tmbj@cox.net, and I will make it available to you.)

As the title indicates, the book is about using your mind (conscious and subconscious) to attain your desires. In brief, it is about how to "materialize" your thoughts, or bring about that which you choose to think about. (The subconscious - and "semi-conscious" for those who have read my own book The Secret of Life - play an essential role in the creative process, but it all starts with the thoughts that we consciously select in the present moment.)

One of the early theses in Ms. Behrend's book is that everything exists is a result of thought. In my book I refer to this as the Law of Thought or the Law of Creation. Everything begins or is conceived as a thought. I even discuss that word, "conceived," in some detail. A spiritual creation - which could also be referred to or described as a mental creation - comes "full term" in the mind - probably in the subconscious.

For this to occur, however, there must first be a thought "conception," where a conscious thought is corroborated or affirmed by the ever-willing "subjective" mind - our subconscious, whose job it is to be "subject to" the "objective" mind, and to carry out its every command, or desire - or even its every intention.

After the initial conception wherein the initial (conscious) thought is "joined to" or "united with" the corroborating thought vibration of the subconscious, there must follow a nurturing or nourishing of the now-"fertilized" egg (or thought seed) - just as with a "physical" conception. In the case of a positive spiritual or thought conception, that nourishment is in the form of light or energy - what the scriptures call "intelligence, or the light of truth" (D&C 93:29). (In the case of a negative thought conception, the thought is nourished by additional negative thoughts or thought energy - supplied by both our own ["semi-conscious"]beliefs and conscious [negative] thoughts, and those that we attract from the many negative sources that may us.)

The prophet Alma describes this process in some detail, albeit through a slightly different analogy. (As you will see, however, some of the elements are similar, if not identical.)

28 Now we will compare the word unto a seed. Now if ye give place, that a seed be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell [or grow] within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves - It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my sould; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.

Alma 32

Alma is here talking about experimenting with an idea or a belief, to see if it is true (or if it will grow). Because ideas are thoughts, his analogy is closely related to my own. Alma is simply pointing out that an idea or belief can be "planted" (in the "heart" in this case), and if it is "good," it will "swell" or grow - if one does not "cast it out by [his] unbelief, that [he] will resist the Spirit of the Lord."

This is precisely what I am suggesting happens with any positive thought conception: If we do not “cast it out by [our] unbelief,” it will grow. (I must point out that if our thought conception is negative, it too will grow, if we “believe” the negative thought. It too will materialize!) It is instructional that Alma equates “cast[ing] [the growing thought seed] out by . . . unbelief” with "resist[ing] the Spirit of the Lord." Let us examine why the two are equal.

Our natural state is to be in connection with our source, God. Christ said in John:

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

John 15

So we "abide" in Christ. He is the "vine;" we are the "branches." He is also (literally) "the life of men and the light of men" (D&C 93:9). So while "the natural man is an enemy to God" (Mosiah 3:19), it is our natural or, at least, original state to be connected to him. Returning to D&C 93:

10 The worlds were made by him, men were made by him; all things were made by him, and through him, and of him.

And corroborating and expanding on this D&C 88:

6 He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth;

7 Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made.

8 As also he is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made;

9 As also the light of the stars, and the power thereof by which they were made.

10 And the earth also, and the power thereof, even the earth upon which you stand.

13 The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God . . . .

So, it would appear that He, Christ, or his "light," at least, is what "all things" - including us - are made of. If we go back to Section 93, we read:

29 Man was also in the beginning with God. Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be.

So looking closer, it appears that both we and God are made of the same thing: "intelligence, or the light of truth."

We might then ask: How can one connect to or 'abide in' Christ (or God the Father)? Let us return once more to Section 88:

11 And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings.

12 Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space -

13 The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God . . . .

So, when a thought conception takes place, it can only come "full term" by being nurtured by this light "Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space." In other words, we are not only made of this light, we are immersed in it. As we have read, it is both "the life of men and "the light of men" (D&C 93:9). If we are severed from it we "are cast forth as a branch...and withered" (John 15:6). And how do we do this? By "unbelief" wherein we "resist the Spirit of the Lord" - just as Alma explained (Alma 32:28).

And now you know how thought conception takes place - as well as how certain thoughts (or desires) are aborted or "cast out by our unbelief" so that they do not grow to maturity. Faith enables our natural connection to the life-giving light, while disbelief cuts us off from that source.

And now you also know why Paul said: "Without faith, it is impossible to please [God]" (Hebrews 11:6). Next time we'll talk more about how these spiritual conceptions - and ultimately spiritual creations - turn into physical creations. The key is in understanding that everything, both spiritual (thought) and physical, is made of energy or intelligence (D&C 88:13). This is the Law of Composition; and finally, we have the Law of Attraction - which gives you some idea of how (vibrating) thoughts (energy, or intelligence) of a particular "kind," would attract vibrating "matter" of a similar kind. And that is what I believe . . . today!

Connecting with Infinite Intelligence

tmbj@cox.net (T. M. Ballantyne, Jr.) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 15:51:00 +0000

Happy New Year! Sounds a bit trite, no? Yes! In any case, I express to you my wish that you learn the truths that will enable you to make this the best year of your life! If you have read my book, The Secret of Life, you will understand that I wish that for you personally, and then for those around you. As I point out in the book, "It is difficult [impossible] to feed others when your own cupboard is bare!" (origin unknown).

I arose this morning at about 5:45 - a little late, but not bad for a Saturday! I then put on something warm, and went and sat in the big chair in my office or study. The sun had not come up yet, so the room was dark for the most part, with only a small amount of light filtering in from my neighbor's porch and from the street. I sat back with my eyes opened (initially), and began to ponder and pray.

Perhaps it is unique to me, but in contemplating Deity I immediately sensed my own unworthiness, and lapsed into the ancient Hawaiian practice ("ho 'oponopono") that Dr. Joe Vitale and Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len describe in their book Zero Limits (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ, 2007). The practice is essentially one of repentance, or asking forgiveness.

One simply begins by expressing sorrow - by saying (to Deity) "I'm sorry." Then one asks forgiveness - "Please forgive me." One then gives thanks by simply saying "Thank you." - followed by "I love you." One can repeat these words or expressions as many times as he or she feels the need or desire to. My own experience (including that of this morning) has been that repeating these phrases brings me to a place or feeling of harmony with the infinite; and it is this harmony which sets the signal for everything that we draw into our lives! To achieve this harmony, therefore, should be our chiefest aim! (Perhaps the only thing of equal importance to our success or happiness is to be clear about what we desire to achieve.)

As an aside, I will here note that when Brigham Young reported having been visited by his predecessor, Joseph Smith (after the departure of the latter from this life), he, Brigham, was counseled to "tell the people to get [or bring themselves into harmony with] the Spirit." I conclude from this that being "in tune with the Spirit" is of the utmost importance. (It is my recollection that Brigham received several such visits from Brother Joseph, and that the message was the same on each occasion! Thus it must have been paramount to our success and happiness!)

While I offer an explanation in my book for why this process might work, I fail to point out that it is, in fact, the process of repentance (as I have noted here). Dr. Vitale has given it as his opinion elsewhere that it isn't necessary to use the words "I'm sorry." "Please forgive me." or "Thank you." but to simply repeat the words "I love you."

I readily agree that it isn't saying the exact words, or saying them in precise order, that matters. What matters are the principles embodied in the words. In other "words," this practice works because it is based on the true or correct principles of repentance, gratitude, and love.

Having said that, however, I believe that expressing sorrow for our unworthiness (specifically, as well as in general), and asking forgiveness (from our Father) are essential steps in purifying ourselves - to wit, purifying our signal, and placing ourselves in tune with (literally), or in direct contact with (by opening the channel to) Infinite Intelligence, or God. Expressing gratitude ("Thank you.") and love ("I love you." - or whatever words you might choose, in either case) simply strengthens our connection to God.

As I point out in the book, some might find this "practice" a bit unorthodox, but I have personally found that it works - and that is all that matters - in my opinion. It is further suggested in Zero Limits that one picture or think of some other person while repeating these words - in order to "heal" that person.

I suggest (in my book) that for those with whom we have - or have had - interaction (or a relationship), it is consistent with our taking responsibility for everything that comes into our lives, for us to personally assume responsibility for whatever has gone on (or is going on) in those relationships or interactions. Thus our asking forgiveness for our part in whatever difficulty there might be (or might have been) is perfectly reasonable or logical - allowing us to heal the relationship by healing ourselves. (It is clearly up to each individual what he or she will personally make of the relationship, of course, but we will find that when we accept full responsibility, the other party will typically reciprocate by acknowledging their own role in creating the difficulty or conflict.)

I also point out (as do Dr. Vitale and Dr. Hew Len) that it might be possible (they state categorically that it is) to "heal" others with whom we have had no connection - simply because as imperfect beings, we have all partaken of (to one degree or another) - and therefore have a share in - the sins of humanity as a whole. Thus by taking responsibility for our part, we in part cleanse the whole. All of this is, of course, made possible by Christ, who took upon himself the sins of all mankind - and literally paid "the price" of those sins, in some unfathomable way. (In his usual alliterary fashion, Elder Neal A. Maxwell described this as "the awful arithmetic of the atonement.")

Ironically, it is our own limited guilt for the sins of mankind as a whole that may allow us (to some degree) to take upon ourselves that burden; while it was Christ's complete and utter lack of guilt or sin that allowed Him to take upon himself the totality of that burden! It is also true that the intense suffering that those sins caused was borne by Him; while our only "suffering" is in acknowledging our own guilt. While this does not normally involve bodily or physical pain, it is nonetheless difficult for us to do.

Interesingly, when we are "in tune" with Infinite Intelligence, and sense or understand our own unworthiness, this is not so difficult. It is only when we are steeped in the self-inflicted pride of ignorance that we find the admission of our guilt - and the forgiveness of others - difficult, if not impossible!

In the end, if we do not repent, and acknowledge our own unworthiness - as well as our part in the sins of (at the very least) those with whom we have associated - then we "must suffer, even as [He has suffered]. Which suffering caused [Himself] even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit - and would that [He] might not drink the bitter cup and shrink" (D&C 19:17-18).

In conclusion, I simply want to report that I have found this "practice" to be both cleansing and purifying. In the New Testament John points out that "Perfect love casteth out fear" (1 John 4:18). Thus, when we ask forgiveness for our part in whatever difficulty we may have had with someone who we perceive has wronged us, we must naturally forgive that person, which will enable us to feel and express love for them as well - ultimately casting out our own fear, and/or dislike of that person. Indeed, when we do this we will often feel a love for all!

We are all aware that Christ asked the Father to forgive his crucifiers as he hung on the cross. While this is rightly considered a great act of magnanimity on his part, it may also reflect his understanding that one must forgive everyone in order that he himself be forgiven (or remain spotless and pure in Christ's case), but also (more importantly) that He - and we - retain our immediate and direct connection to the Father!

The bottom line is that repenting on a daily or on-going basis is essential to retaining our connection to God. The forgiveness (and cleansing) that we seek are only possible because of the atonement of Christ; and expressing our gratitude and love for that greatest of all gifts only strengthens or solidifies that divine connection! This, I believe, is the way we should start every day!

For this knowledge and privelege I am eternally grateful! May you find peace in your life through the daily practice of repentance, as well as forgiveness - both that which you seek, and that which you extend to others; for it is only by both giving and receiving forgiveness that we ourselves are cleansed, and thereby retain our connection to the Father and the divine light of his infinite intelligence. Only by so doing can we find fulfillment, and begin to understand our own divine identity and potential!

Wants vs. Needs

tmbj@cox.net (T. M. Ballantyne, Jr.) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:42:00 +0000

In my previous post, I discussed the role of faith or belief in attaining what we want or desire (or pray for). Now, if I may, I’d like to comment on the matter of wanting in the first place. Without going into it in depth at this point, I will simply point out that we seem to have been conditioned to believe that “wants” are bad, or selfish. Because we have been counseled to distinguish between “wants” and “needs” (when budgeting limited funds, for example), we have drawn the unfortunate (and false) conclusion that to want or to have anything beyond our basic “needs” is simply wrong!

Consider the following statements by pioneer statesman Brigham Young:

"The Lord will bestow riches and honor upon this people as fast as they can receive them and learn to take care of them in the Lord."

"If we will do right and seek the Lord with all our hearts, he will give unto us everything our hearts can desire. The earth is before us, heaven is before us, and the fullness of eternity is before us, and it is for us to live for all our hearts can desire in righteousness."

"When this people are prepared to properly use the riches of this world for the building up of the kingdom of God, He is ready and willing to bestow them upon us. If the Latter-day Saints will walk up to their privileges, and exercise faith in the name of Jesus Christ, and live in the enjoyment of the fullness of the Holy Ghost constantly day by day, there is nothing on the face of the earth that they could ask for, that would not be given to them. The Lord is waiting to be very gracious unto this people, and to pour out upon them riches, honor, glory, and power, even that they may possess all things according to the promises He has made through His apostles and prophets."

"I like to see men get rich by their industry, prudence, management and economy, and then devote it to the building up of the kingdom of God upon the earth, and in gathering in the poor saints from the four corners of the earth; "

"I can witness one fact, and so can others, that by paying attention to the building up of the kingdom of God alone we have got rich in the things of this world; and if any man can tell how we can get rich in any other way, he can do more than I can. "

http://webmail.west.cox.net/do/redirect?url=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.journalofdiscourses.org%252FVol_11%252FrefJDvol11-18.html

(I'd like to thank my friend Darin Carlyle for sharing these quotes with me.)

While not all would accept Brigham Young as the final authority on such questions, his words may at least give one pause. Those familiar with his life can attest that he was an immensely practical man. He was also immensely wise.

An ancient American prophet named Jacob shed incisive light on the matter of wealth or riches when he said:

17 Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you.

18 But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God.

19 And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good – to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted" (Jacob 2:17-19).

This does not mean that we ourselves must do without. As I point out in The Secret of Life:

“It is hard to feed others when our own cupboards are bare!" (Origin Unknown).

The Apostle Paul wisely counseled that “He who striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.” So don’t go overboard one way or the other. In the meantime, we should enjoy life and appreciate the good things the Lord has given us as his children. If we remain humble and grateful – not considering ourselves better than others – He is happy with us!

Finally, let us consider the familiar promise of the Lord from Malachi:

10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.

12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.

Malachi 3:10-12

In conclusion, perhaps we should consider a “trickle-up” theory with respect to the Lord’s blessings. He has promised to “open [us] the windows of heaven, and pour [us] out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” If we are to be “familiar with all and free with [our] substance, that they may be rich like unto [us],” then it will be necessary for us to keep a little for ourselves!

To Believe or Not To Believe...

tmbj@cox.net (T. M. Ballantyne, Jr.) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 23:13:00 +0000

So, I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! It has been another week since I last wrote. Meanwhile, life continues to be wonderful! What it is, of course, is all a matter of how I choose to view it. The larger question, however, is what role do our thoughts play in shaping it? As I point out in my book, The Secret of Life, there is a rather large difference between causing an automobile accident, and just reacting to it once it has taken place. Both reacting to and causing the accident are factors that shape the lives of those involved, but clearly causing something to happen would, at least, appear to be a broader or greater power than that of choosing one's reaction to it.

With all of that said, I will here interject that the question of causing an accident by one's (negative) thoughts would appear to be different from, say, causing some desired end by one's faith or belief. That being the case, let us here focus on the latter: bringing about that which we want, through the power of our thoughts - the power of faith or belief - coupled with prayer.

On this point, the scripture is clear: "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them" (Mark 11:24). So, whatever we desire, if we pray for them, and believe that we receive them, we shall have them.

"There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven, before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated - and when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated" (D&C 130:20-21).

Coupling these two passages, we see that any blessing we obtain (or desire to obtain) is based on law, and that the law upon which receiving that which we desire and pray for is based is that of belief. Bottom line: Because it is a matter of law - every time - if we fail to receive that which we ask or pray for, is it not because we lack faith?

In fact, there is one other requirement: "Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be done unto you" (Moroni 7:26, emphasis added). So what we ask must be "good" - ostensibly good for us, as well as all concerned.

I hasten to add, however, that after the Savior promised in the Sermon on the Mount, "For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." he asked rhetorically, "Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or, if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?" He answered his own question by saying "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" (There's that word "good" again.)

I here give it as my opinion that our failure to receive that which we want or pray for is far more often the result of our lack of faith than it is of our asking for things that are not "good" - even though at times what we consider to be "good" might not in truth be so. Nevertheless, the Lord is making it clear that he, or his Father, will not give us a "stone" when we ask for "bread," or a "serpent" when we ask for "fish." Perhaps he might give us cake instead of bread, or shrimp instead of fish, but not a stone or a serpent!

I believe the real culprit in our thinking (the real reason for our lack of faith and the corresponding failure to receive that which we truly desire or pray for) is that we have been conditioned to consider anything beyond a "need" to be frivolous or worse, selfish! But that will be the subject of my next post!

Let me end with the question asked by Moroni immediately following his statement (quoted earler) that "Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be done unto you" (Moroni 7:26). "Wherefore . . . have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended into heaven . . . ? (Moroni 7:26).

Followed by his answer "Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought . . . wherefore, if these things have ceased . . . it is because of unbelief, and all is vain" (Moroni 7:37).

So there you have it: If we are not receiving answers to our prayers; if we are not receving that which we ask for or desire ("which is good"), "it is because of unbelief, and all is vain."

While it is good to acknowledge the hand of the Lord in all things, it is not good to blame him when we do not believe his promises; for he has promised that "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth" (Mark 9:23), but "Without faith, it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God, must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6).

The response-ability is ours. To believe, or not to believe, that is the question!

More on Deciding!

tmbj@cox.net (T. M. Ballantyne, Jr.) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 23:14:00 +0000

Well, it has been a week and a half since I last posted. Never fear! It has been a fabulous ten days - challenges and delays not withstanding! I have learned to take it all in stride. And I have continued to learn many wonderful new things in the interim. I say "new," but they are, in fact, as old as time itself, and not necessarily even new to me. Perhaps I should just say that I have relearned many wonderful things since I last wrote. That would be closer to the truth!

I will start by saying that much of what I have learned has come from the scriptures, the word of God. I have been reading them regularly since I was about eighteen - some forty years now! I have also made a practice of pondering the meaning of passages that have stood out. In those forty years I have learned much, and I am grateful beyond words for the truths that I have discovered. While I have learned much from other sources as well, I have always sought to corroborate those truths with the scriptures. To this point, I don't know that I have ever failed in my effort to do so! Once more, I am extremely grateful for this "second witness." The third and final witness, would be that of the "spirit of truth," the Holy Ghost. "By the power of the Holy Ghost [we] may know the truth of all things" (Moroni 10:5).

One final point before sharing my latest insights: I have also come to understand that the hidden meanings of many verses (of scripture) are only discovered or understood in the light of complimentary passages.

Here now is a passage with which many of my readers will be very familiar:

45 . . . and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then
shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and
the doctrine of the priesthood shall distill upon thy soul as the
dews from heaven.

46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy
scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth;
and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and with-
out compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.

D&C 121

I suspect that most in reading this have concluded that the "everlasting dominion" is something that would be attained in the next life. I always had. Now, however, I'm not so sure. Let's examine another passage with which all readers of the Bible will be familiar.

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies
of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory
was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to-
day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much
more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or,
What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your
heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow
shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the
day is the evil thereof.

Matthew 6

I had always understood that these passages from the Sermon on the Mount were intended for the Lord's chosen apostles only. They were to dedicate their lives to the work of the kingdom, and so the Lord would take care of them, as it were. I'm not sure where this interpretation came from, as the counsel is given in the middle of the sermon, with no indication that it is for only a select few.

In linking the two passages (D&C 121: 45-46 and Matthew 6:28-34) I see a different picture. If each of us is seeking "first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness," then we shouldn't have to worry about ("take thought for") "the morrow," for our "heavenly Father knoweth that [we] have need of all these things."

And what light does section 121 shed on the matter? If we "let virtue garnish [our] thoughts unceasingly; then shall [our] confidence wax strong in the presence of God . . . . and [our] dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto [us] forever and ever." In other words, all of our needs will be met. We will have to "take thought" for them, I believe, but we won't have to worry about them!

The keys are to "seek . . . first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness" and "let virtue garnish [our] thoughts unceasingly; then shall [our] confidence wax strong in the presence of God" and "shall he not [then] . . . clothe [us]," unlike those "of little faith?" I think yes!

And what of our title: "More on Deciding"? Well, we must decide that we will "seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness," and be "anxiously engaged" in a work that could qualify as such; and we must decide that we believe his promise to take care of us. In other words, we must exercise faith; and that means putting it to work, and probably in areas where it has not been working before!

I believe that the work I am doing qualifies as seeking "the kingdom of God," and that his promise that "all these things [our wants and needs] shall be added unto [us]," along with that of "an everlasting dominion" which "without compulsory means . . . shall flow unto [us] forever and ever" is sure. I have decided what I will do; and I have decided to trust in the Lord's promises!

He has further promised (to those who pay "tithes and offerings") that he will "open [us] the windows of heaven, and pour [us] out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it" (Malachi 3:10). Couple that with the foregoing promises, and I think He's got us covered!

How much more clear could he make it?

The Power of Deciding

tmbj@cox.net (T. M. Ballantyne, Jr.) — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 05:54:00 +0000

Well, I am happy to say that I have more to say about Tuesday's blog (December 2, 2008 - Who Would You Rather Be?). I'm happy because I like to build on a central theme. I'm also interested in understanding everything involved in things that work. My "declaration" on Tuesday - that I would rather be me than anyone else on the planet, in the very circumstances that I was (am) currently in - seemed to be the cause or force behind an almost immediate turn of events (receiving the money we needed to meet our immediate obligations).

When I say "seemed," I must reiterate that I strongly believe that it was the reason for what happened - and the fact that it happened immediately (within two hours!) after the "declaration," seems particularly significant!

So, what do I have to add to this idea (that being 100% satisfied with who I am, and "where" I am is powerfully "attractive")? What I have to add is that my declaration represented both a decision, and a commitment. The decision, that I am an author; and the commitment, to stay the course! I am reminded of Napoleon's crossing the Rubicon, and burning his transport ships, cutting off even the possibility of retreat. He was committed to win or perish in the attempt. Retreat was no longer an option!

So, that is what the declaration represented: a commitment to a decision. In a word, it represented deciding - once and for all - who I am, and what I will be, i.e., the course I will follow. Interestingly, I realize that the decision wasn't, in fact, final. I have not truly decided - my declaration not withstanding. I believe, however, that once I have truly decided, the creative powers of the universe (the creative powers of God, in fact!) will combine to bring into existence everything that I need to succeed!

The key is to decide! Once the decision has been made, the die is cast, which means that the "spiritual mold" of my success is a fete acumpli, and its physical counterpart, a fact! While I am not there yet, I believe (100%) that making a decision is the absolute key to setting in motion everything that is required to bring about total success! I truly believe this, and will learn to live it!

Be Thankful for All of It!

tmbj@cox.net (T. M. Ballantyne, Jr.) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:16:00 +0000

There is a tremendous power in gratitude!

Okay, I'm not the first one to point this out! However, this relates directly to my first post (Who Would You Rather Be? - Tuesday, December 2, 2008), so if you have read that one, this will give you additional insights - as did yesterday's post (What Went Wrong? - Wednesday, December 3, 2008).

When I wrote "Who Would You Rather Be?" I stated that "I haven't thought of a formula or concept for how to apply [the principle being discussed] to my life in every instance." The principle being discussed was that of "self-worth" - of appreciating ourselves exactly as we are in this moment, regardless of what might be going on in our lives!

Well, it just jumped out at me! Not only should we appreciate ourselves exactly as we are in this moment, but also our lives, exactly as they are in this moment!

Here's the point: almost every circumstance in our lives is there because we attracted it through our thoughts. In other words, it is there because we thought it into existence! So, if there are negatives in our life that resulted from incorrect (negative) thinking, then those negative results will motivate us to do something to eliminate them.

The wonderful thing here is that if they resulted from thought, then they can be changed by thought; and until we see the results (or have them in our lives), we don't know what needs to be changed! Once we do, then we can set about to change them; thus everything in our lives is a blessing!

This allows me to segue into an appropriate analogy. This is from T. Harv Ecker, in his book Secrets of the Millionaire Mind, and it is one of the best analogies I have ever heard. (I must say that I am delighted to be able to expand on Harv's metaphor!)

The analogy is simply one of a printer that produces a Word document with a typo in it. So, upon noticing the typo, its author - who is clearly technologically-challenged - corrects the mistake by using white-out. Needing additional copies, he presses "Print" again and, to his dismay, discovers the same typo! So he grabs his white-out and again fixes the mistake; whereupon he pushes "Print" only to get the same result once again.

It is readily apparent (to those of us with above-average IQ's!) that no matter how many times our Einstein repeats the process, he will get the same result - because he is working on the effect, and not on the cause or source of the problem! The printed copies are merely effects. The cause lies within the software, not the hardware! It is with the program or, at least, a programmed result.

And so it is with the circumstances of our life. No matter how many times we try to fix the circumstances of our lives, they are only effects. They are simply output! What must be changed are the results of our program, and those results are our thoughts!

So when we see "physical" results (circumstances and events), which we do not like, then we need only look to our thoughts to see and correct the true causes. Now here is what I have to add (I think!) to Harv's analogy: while it is possible (and preferable) to correct our mistakes before printing, it is often difficult to do so until we get a "proof" copy.

And so it is with our lives. Until we have the "proof" of our thoughts, in the form of visible results (circumstances and events), we are often unaware of our (mental) mistakes. Once we see them, however, we are then (and only then, often) in a position to correct the programmed results (or thoughts) that caused them. Thus the proof, in the form or circumstances, is often - though not always - necessary in order for us to make adjustments or correct course.

So be grateful for all of it - for everything that is in your life; because if any of it is bad, then you are being appraised that you must fix your programmed results - your thoughts!

(To learn more about the "program" itself - which is your beliefs - you may refer to Chapter II, of Book III in my Secret of Life Series, available at http://www.thesecretoflifebooks.com/lawofattraction.html.)

What Went Wrong?

tmbj@cox.net (T. M. Ballantyne, Jr.) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:32:00 +0000

Okay, let's be honest. Just how often I should post is a bit perplexing - not bad, just perplexing! Obviously I could do something every day, and maybe some would like that. I write in my journal most every day - or should when I don't! - but while that is good for me, it may be a bit much for others to read. We'll see!

I did write (in my journal - today's entry) somewhat of a reply to my first post, and I've decided to include it here as it clarifies the issue of being "100% happy with who and where we are!" Okay, here it is!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

I “fell from grace” last night! Don’t worry, I haven’t “sold my soul!” I have been less than my best, however. In a word, I feared!

It started innocently enough….I saw someone whose name I could not remember, and I was embarrassed, so I didn’t simply ask him to repeat his name. We’d never formally met, actually, but I recognized him, and needed to speak with him as it turns out. For some reason, this made me feel insecure. It made me feel insecure about who I was or am. (Interesting, in light of yesterday's blog!)

I then spoke with someone else whose name I could not recall. This time I asked the person to remind me of his name, and he did. Nonetheless, I was still feeling self-conscious from my previous self-doubts, and wasn’t able to look the person in the eye. (Wow!)

Interestingly, I believe all of this started with my being nervous (fearful, actually) about having to sing in front of the group. We were at the church for a rehearsal of the program we would be putting on at the Christmas party on Friday. So, by fearing looking foolish, I attracted a number of circumstances in which I felt foolish. (Now there's a shocker!)

To top it all off, I somehow felt foolish or embarrassed in dealing with – not dealing with, actually – the youth in the church. I didn’t really know any of their names, and had only introduced myself to a few of them, though I had spoken with several of them previously. So the same less-than-adequate feelings about myself persisted.

Then they needed someone to lead the youth in singing, and I (uncomfortably!) stayed in the background and let my wife, Jan, do it. The song, Away in a Manger, isn’t a favorite, so it was probably best that I didn’t conduct it. Nonetheless, I felt weak and foolish for standing in the background, and not stepping up. (In truth, I probably wouldn't have felt the need to step up and do this, except that because I was already feeling uncomfortable about myself I probably felt the need to prove myself - to prove that I wasn't afraid!)

In a nutshell, I had allowed myself to be fearful, by picturing in my mind not performing my best. I don’t recall actually picturing that, but I know I was uncomfortable with the whole idea (even though I love to sing, and wanted to do both the duet and trio that I was going to do). In order to feel the fear, however, I had to be picturing – or, at least, thinking – unhappy or limiting thoughts, thus blocking the incoming flow of light, and feeling the negative vibes (literally!).

Clearly, one negative thought led to another! I simply wasn’t relaxed and prepared for the whole circumstance or series of events. I was less than my best, because I hadn’t prepared by visualizing a positive result. I hadn’t rehearsed mentally!

Wow! What a positive thing to understand! Because I hadn’t taken the time to visualize a positive result – because I wasn’t focused on a good outcome – my mind automatically defaulted to a negative one. Okay, that is easy enough to fix! I just have to rehearse mentally before performing anything “unto the Lord,” as the scriptures put it. Extrapolating, that means that we should put ourselves in a positive frame of mind before “performing” or doing anything!

In fact, it means that we must be focused on positive outcomes every day of our lives, and throughout every day! It is pretty simple: If we do not focus on what we want – on good things – we will, by default, focus on, or picture, what we don’t want! In a word, we must play to win! That is the right frame of mind. That is what we can always do to guarantee our best outcome or results! Life is a blessing – and I am grateful! What a thrill it is to be alive!

Who Would You Rather Be?

tmbj@cox.net (T. M. Ballantyne, Jr.) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:52:00 +0000

Good morning, world! Yes, I know, it isn't really morning (today, at least) anywhere in the world right now! However, mornings are wonderful because they afford us a new beginning every day of our lives. Think about how beautiful that is....Every day has a night-time during which we are blessed to sleep (most of the time, at least, unless we have new additions to the family or work unusual hours); and every day has a morning, in which we can start all over again! Wow!

In this, my very first post (anywhere, ever!), I am particularly excited about what happened this morning. That isn't really accurate. It is more truthful to say that I am excited about what I did this morning. For the most part, life isn't about what "happens" to us. It is mostly about what we do with what happens.

Without going into detail, I will simply state that not everything was as we (my wife, Jan, and I) might have preferred. We'll leave it at that. Nonetheless, we had gotten up reasonably early, and gone about our morning routine of reading, contemplating, and praying; and then went for our every-other-day walk. (We go to the gym MWF.) As we walked, we discussed the various options we had regarding the challenge we were faced with - among other topics of conversation. As we entered the last half-mile of our mile and a half stroll, I asked her if she would rather be "so and so," whom we know, who has zero concerns in the area we were being stretched by, but is perhaps fifty pounds overweight.

Jan has become a fitness queen over the past eight to ten months, and looks great! So, I asked if she would rather be where she is, with the particular challenge that she is facing, or be "so and so," with no problems in this area - but a health and weight issue. As is Jan's custom, she was pensive....(As a side note, if you are a friend, and you are wondering if we were talking about you, that can only be a reflection of how you view yourself. Ouch!)

To make my point, I will just tell you what my response to the question was. I told her that there was not a single other person on the planet that I would rather be, given the exact circumstances that we now face, along with every other aspect of our lives. I simply wouldn't want to be anyone else, under any circumstance! In other words, I was 100% happy with who I was, and wouldn't for a moment want to trade places with anyone else on earth. Period! (Exclamation point!)

Now, you might think I was just saying those things, but I can tell you that I wasn't. I felt that (and feel it now) on every level of my being. I was 100% satisfied with who I was (am), and wouldn't want to be anyone or anywhere else - in spite of any challenges that might be going on in our lives. Now that was a blessing! I wouldn't want to be anyone else on the planet - regardless of anything that we might be facing in life. I just have to tell you that that was a wonderful insight and realization - a wonderful feeling! I was (and am) thrilled to be me - regardless of whatever difficulties I might have in the near or long term. I wouldn't want to be anyone else! (I think you get the idea.)

Okay. Within an hour and a half of our conversation, Jan had come up with a solution to our challenge! Now here is the interesting thing: I felt tremendously grateful for the solution; but I did not feel one bit different about who I was, or who I wanted to be. That was simply a fact, and it remains so. The good news that ensued was simply a confirmation of what I had already decided in my heart - and yes, the confirmation felt good, but it didn't change my feelings about myself! I felt good (before and after), and I was grateful (before and after, as well)!

I haven't thought of a formula or concept for how to apply this to my life in every instance, but I do know this: it is absolutely essential that we like who we are, and what we are doing - where we are going, better put. If we have solved that issue, then all of the rest will fall in place. In the meantime, we can be happy regardless of what is going on around us if we just ask ourselves the question: Would I rather be anyone or anywhere else in the world right now? (To clarify, when I say "anywhere" else, I don't really mean in a physical or geographical sense; I mean in the sense of "where we are going" in life.)

So be grateful for who you are, and if you don't like some things that are going on in your life, change them! (When I used to live in Texas, there was a bumper sticker that read: "If you don't have an oil well, get one!") Meanwhile, be grateful to be you, and be the best you that you can be! That is certainly one of the keys to happiness and success in life!