The Gospel and the Simple Life

This topic has weighed heavily upon my soul the last couple of days. In reality for awhile now. I have had the promptings and desires to learn more about homesteading lately, but in reality it has grown in me for sometime. Ever since learning more about what it means to be truly healthy, I realize how much is dependent on quality. We need not only quality sources of food but also an environment to live in. Our food is best when it is grown locally, even better when it is done by you most likely. As you get a sense of what the Great Gardener does. Our environments are hostile filled with toxins interference. So as I have learned more about this, I have had a greater desire to be outdoors, to get into the country, to get back to my ancestral roots. Overtime I have realized this isn't just for health but there is a strong spiritual connection too.

The Book of Mormon starts off with Lehi and his family commanded by God to flee Jerusalem. Jerusalem is about to be destroyed and they are to leave for a promised land. I have heard many interpretations and views of the Book of Mormon over my years as a member of the Church. So often these views are developed through our Western eyes. We think of this poor family having to pick and up leave in an instant and how hard that must have been. We think of Lehi dwelling in a tent and compare it to his riches he left behind. We then apply that to our own lives. However, these views are taken out of context. A careful reading of the text with a proper worldview gives us a different story.

Lehi was a man well acquainted with the desert life. This is evident in how quickly his family departs into the wilderness with tents ready. Nibley also points out much in 1 Nephi that is very Bedouin-like in lifestyle. Lehi's dream is one characterized by someone who must have spent the vast majority of his life in the desert. Mists of darkness, great gulfs, rivers of water, seemingly floating buildings, and even the tree of life are all well known to desert dwellers. It seems Lehi is comfortable here though well aware of the dangers the desert gives. It is that I would like to focus on. When we read the scriptures, the prophets are often living simplistic lives. They don't seek for high stature though some may have it. This doesn't mean they are not successful. Obviously President Nelson is rather successful, this has more to do with the attitude of life.

Lehi is a prime example of the covenant life, the Gospel and the Simple Life. The Lord blessed him tremendously just as He did Abraham. But Lehi lived a life close to the Lord and his priorities were as such. He leaves it all behind. Who would do that today? I have heard that the tremendous cataclysms of the last day will force us to do so, but "that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time" will still be in possession of your body. It is the heart that must change, and that is not easily pliable. Lehi had much, but he was ready to leave it all in an instant. We know not how much he had. We don't really know what his household and lifestyle was like. Nephi was taught Egyptian and his name could be Egyptian too. Lehi being acquainted with the desert so well could mean he was a traveling merchant, a caravan trader possibly. Semi-nomadic to be sure. Often many are included in the household too. Servants, friends, and other families can come under Lehi's protection just as Zoram does. Abraham's household was quite large and extended. And like Abraham, Lehi cared not for the attractions of Sodom and Gomorrah, what Jerusalem had to offer outside of the temple. He cared for the Simple Life. The life the Gospel provides.

To look further into this, I read about the Bedouin. Nibley goes into great detail about them and their lifestyles. Simple shepherds, farmers, nomadic traders. The parallels between them and the Book of Mormon peoples are very striking, very compelling. Furthermore, the parallels between the Bedouin, the Book of Mormon peoples, and the North American natives are quite compelling. Nevertheless, the Bedouin serve as a prime comparison to Lehi and his people. John Burckhardt notes the division between the city dwelling Bedouin versus those of the desert. They both equally despise and look down on one another. "The Bedouin in a town appears to be a very different man from the same person in the desert. He knows that the town's-people, whom he despises, entertain absurd notions respecting his nation....The wandering Arabs have certainly more wit and sagacity than the people who live in towns; their heads are always clear, their spirits unimpaired by debauchery." Nibley adds that the "city Arab" mocks their desert cousins with every show of open contempt but inwardly they envy them. Each side looking down on each other. In this I draw a parallel with the Gospel.

The city often draws us in with rich pleasures, money, popularity, and power. Laman and Lemuel were sure drawn in just as Lot was before them. There is much to be had in the city. Late night parties, high positions, and money, lots of money to be made. It's motto is, "You can buy anything in this world with money." The flashy lights are inviting and many find success. Great riches are there for the taking, but at what cost? What do we gain by such ventures? Security? Provision for our loved ones? Production of goods and services to those in need? These sound like good and noble justifications. Even others don't sound necessarily bad such as prestige amongst colleagues? Making your mark? Striking it rich? These last ones are some of the biggest attractions of America. Many of my friends seek for these. Many Latter-day Saints do. But is it worth it?

Lehi petitions his sons, "Awake! and arise from the dust, and hear the words of a trembling parent, whose limbs ye must soon lay down in the cold and silent grave, from whence no traveler can return; a few more days and I go the way of all the earth." Lehi knows the meaning of the things of this world. They are meaningless. Much like the Buddhist, Lehi knows attachments to this world are fleeting. When we die we cannot take anything with us other than our knowledge and family ties that are sealed under covenant. We have much in common with Buddhists. The Middle Way is very harmonious with the Gospel, for the Buddha was inspired by the same God. Buddhists don't live a life of austerity, but one of temperance, peace, love, shirking all worldly attachments. They live a very saintly life. One thing is for sure, the law of consecration will not be hard for them to live, for many already live it. The Noble Eightfold Path is also harmonious with the Gospel. It is a list of rights or virtues to live by. Right understanding, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. There is much in Eastern thought and philosophy that is not only harmonious with the Gospel but gives a broader and clearer view of God's intention for us, the Simple Life.

Another example is Aloha Spirit. Part of the beauty of Hawaii is this Spirit. It is the Spirit of Christ. It is the easy going feeling everyone feels there and it is a mutual feeling of love and care for one another. With that focus everything in life slows down as a more eternal perspective takes root. The Gospel provides an eternal perspective which provides clarity to our lives. Just as the Buddha was awakened under the Bodhi tree we too can come to the Tree of Life and partake of its fruit and have our eyes opened. Alma teaches his son that it is "easy to give heed to the word of Christ." The only hardships we endure are when our will competes with God's will. But if we live by the spirit of Aloha or the Holy Spirit our life becomes simple and abundant riches are poured out upon us.

So what does the Gospel teach about life? What does a Saintly life look like? What is this Simple Life I am talking about? The Family Proclamation states, "By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners." Several years ago I was teaching a Sunday school class. I began the class talking about the uniqueness of our time in comparison to the vast majority of history. 150 years ago, and this is still true for much of the world, most people in America still farmed or led rather simple lifestyles. The husband and wife were often together or near each other. The husband could have been working in the fields plowing and mothers at the house collecting eggs, churning butter, or some other work that needed to be done. The fact was that the majority of human history was like this. Furthermore, several generations lived with each other or very close to each other.

Ancient Israelites often had houses that were home to 4 generations. The Bedouin often had tent cities that housed many families. In Africa, the entire village is involved in helping each other. Life was simplified to the exact description in the Family Proclamation. This is not to say that we return to that lifestyle though farming and homesteading is a noble venture. And I believe most people would benefit by doing as well as the world due to the fresh local produce and healthier lifestyles giving the earth its needed TLC. But today our focus becomes muddled. The attractions of the city or Babylon grasp our attentions all too easy. Many leave home never to return. Like the prodigal son, we squander our inheritance for the riches of Babylon. Families are spread far out, some not by choice, others to get away from each other. The elderly parents are shipped to nursing homes. Children are given nannies and bused to schools where they receive their education. Convenience, selfishness, ambition, and luxury are the prizes. Within all this are those who try to marry the two which will always end up in a bitter divorce leaving deep wounds. Herein lies the justifications. If I could get that promotion, I could provide a lake house for my children! Wouldn't that be great! Or we shift accountability to some other entity that has no divine stewardship such as the parents who routinely pay for nannies. Then the children grow up and when they don't listen to their parents, the mother responds, "That isn't how I raised you." And in truth, they didn't raise them at all. They subcontracted that out to others. What a sad state of affairs the world brings.

A talk by Elder Matthew Cowley called Achievements illustrates the biggest business tycoons of his time. He lists many off and then proceeds to give account of how they died. Many died bankrupt, others insane, and many of suicide. He states they learned the art of making money but failed to learn the art of living. This is what Satan promises, "you can buy anything in this world with money." It is a lie that all to many fall for and they fall into the pit that was dug by their hands all the while Satan and his fiends are laughing scornfully at them. This is why Jesus taught one cannot serve God and Mammon. Many of us leave Mammon translated that way, probably because of the awful truth we are seeking to avoid. Mammon is money and we wholeheartedly want more of it. So we seek to keep it in disguise. "Yes, I cannot serve two masters" we tell ourselves and we go on trying. We think we would get a clue after every failed attempt around us but the Devil is quite cunning. We often get all wrapped up in his false dichotomies: Republicans vs Democrats, Capitalism vs Socialism. Distractions. Distractions from the awful truth that they are all philosophies of men.

What does Jesus teach us? "Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not; neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which day is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 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 6:25-34)

Hugh Nibley summed this up quite nicely, "Work we must, but the lunch is free." We strive very hard to provide these necessities when the Lord has said he will provide. Whose are arm do we trust, our own or His? This is the great trial of life. "And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them." (Abr. 3:25) "For the natural man is an enemy to God," King Benjamin taught, "and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the Atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father." (Mos. 3:19)

There is your comparison. The Family Proclamation and scriptures tell you what the Simple Life is all about. It is one with an eternal perspective. One that sees clearly. One that doesn't succumb to the distractions of this world. One that realizes that most things in this world are fleeting, therefore it focuses on eternity: the Gospel and Family life, the Simple Life.

Back to the Aloha spirit. This is a way of life amongst Hawaiians. Anyone who has visited the islands knows there is something different there. I remember seeing road signs stating, "drive with aloha." Living with aloha means to express the qualities of kindness, tenderness, harmony, pleastantness, humility, and patience. The greeting of Aloha is much more than a simple hello, but it means to have a mutual regard and affection, and extends unconditional warmth. This is seen all around in Hawaii. Everyone drives with ease especially on the North Shore of Oahu where we stayed. Many smiles and friendly faces. Waving to each is other is not uncommon as well as the friendly shaka which has its own wonderful history. The aloha spirit promotes working to live rather than living to work. It promotes love and generosity between strangers and neighbors. This is the essence of the Gospel and Simple Life.

The Simple Life is seen in the craftsmen who works to perfect his craft. It is seen in his labor of love to provide his craftsmanship to would-be buyers. It is not a labor of greed or want but one of service and love. It is seen in the homesteader and farmer who cares for his land and animals like they are extensions of his own family. He who takes the injunction from the Lord to be a steward over the land seriously. It is seen in almost every walk of life, but some more than others. One man I observed left the high stress offices of a CPA to cultivate the land. He chose the Simple Life. He wanted to give back and work with nature. Not that a CPA is on the wrong side, but his certainly wasn't uplifting. However, I do think much of the business world would be cut out with proper perspective. The dog eat, dog world would be no more. The bottom line would lose all meaning. There would be no more eating the young or exploitation. The Gospel and the Simple Life is in direct opposition to that of the world.

The world would have you take advantage of someone else to get gain. That's what was taught to Cain. The art of turning life into property to get gain and it has been passed down ever since. It rules our nation. Companies enslave consumers for more money and control. Laws are passed to protect such entities. But it isn't just the big companies, it is all around us.

The Gospel and the Simple Life shows us what are real needs are and as the smoke clears we truly realize most of what we think we need to live with fades away with the smoke. Keeping up with Jones' and what the latest fashion trend is no longer matters. Fancy cars, a big house, nice manicured lawn, fine furniture, boats, toys, and the list goes on. None of this matters. Video games, movies, hosts of entertainment lose their importance. Not that you cannot enjoy some of this, but when it takes priority, our perspective gets tainted.

So what matters? Loving God and loving our neighbor. Family and friendships. Loving the earth and cultivating it. Working with nature not against it. It is relationships that matter. Our relationship with God, our neighbor, our family, our spouses, our children, our friends, and the earth. That is what the temple is teaching us. That is what God has been trying to teach us since the beginning. But we are too eager to listen to the Adversary who promises gold and silver and fine clothing, power and position. He promises great success all the while wrapping us up in a flaxen cord. And the saying is heard, "All is well in Zion; year, Zion prospereth, all is well---and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell." (2 Ne 28:21) We squabble and argue against each other when we should be loving and serving each other.

How do we get there? How do we find the Simple Life? Studying the Gospel. Cultivate the Spirit in your home and in your lives. Live by the For the Strength of Youth. Ask God. The Holy Spirit "will show unto you all things what ye should do." (2 Ne 32:5) But too many of us never ask, or don't know how to receive the needed revelation. We have gone through the motions. We have felt its presence but rarely do we ever hear its voice. It will tell you all things you should do. I know this for a fact, much of my recent life choices are done under Divine guidance and our lives are so much richer. Ask the Lord, he will tell you. Evaluate your life, hold back nothing. Really look at your life with great scrutiny. Ask the Lord if there needs to be a change, he will tell you. Don't be afraid, you can handle it. It may be uncomfortable at first, but in time the richness of the blessing will flow abundantly. We have been doing this for sometime. It is not an all at once, but over a period of time. There were times where we sacked a bunch of things and there are times where it was minor tweaks. We have been to led to add wholesome things into our lives that have made them all the better. We are learning and setting goals for things we never would have imagined 1 or 2 years ago. The Gospel is great like that.

The Gospel life is one of simplicity. The Simple Life is full of the richest blessings the Lord has to offer and nothing in the world can compare. The world is fleeting but the Gospel is eternal. Therefore, we should do everything in our power to cultivate a life within the Gospel rather than having one foot out the door the entire time. As the Lord counseled, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." (Matt. 6:24 ESV)