Dallas Detour

Sometimes I have work schedules that don't make sense. Like why, for example, would I have hearings scheduled in Ardmore, Oklahoma when there are two very capable attorneys stationed in Dallas and one in Oklahoma City? Ardmore doesn't even have an airport! But such is the case sometimes.

Because Ardmore was still about a 2 hour drive from the nearest airport and flying (commuting to the airport, waiting for flight, etc.) would eat up almost as much time as driving to the nearest airport, I opted to take my trusty corolla instead and make my own schedule.

My schedule couldn't have been more perfectly planned, for on the way home I got to make a detour to this beautiful place.

Latter-day Saints, or Mormons, believe worship in holy temples to be a great source of strength and peace. While there is an LDS temple located in Houston, it was temporarily closed for the month of September.  I was overjoyed that my work travels had, in a round about way, sent me here.

I mentioned before that some stories cannot be shared. Another such story occurred this weekend that broke my heart, but more importantly the hearts of those I love. My heartache is nothing compared to theirs, I'll be the first to admit. Despite this, I saw very clearly the grief, evil, and misfortune that at times seems to combat us on all sides. I knew that, for myself at least, I needed to seek some sort of refuge from the storm. And it is here where I found it. Even as I entered the parking lot, I could feel my shoulders relax and peace flood my heart.

As I evaluated the proceeding weekend, I realized that if darkness can exist, so then must light. Otherwise how would we know what darkness is if we had nothing to compare it to. So I began to look for goodness and for small slivers of hope breaking through what at times seems an impenetrable wall of resistance. And this is what I found:

• I found a man who had just reclaimed his Saturday mornings only to offer one more up for the sake of helping someone else by delivering Meals on Wheels. 
• I found a friend drop everything in an instant to be with a loved one in need.
• I found a family invite a lonely woman to lunch. 
• I found a man who chose to live worthily so he could be called upon in a moment's notice to give a priesthood blessing to someone in despair.
• I found a friend asking after a man he's never met but cares for anyway.
• I found a mini van full of kids eager to help find somebody to love. 
• I found smiles, hugs, selflessness, and a whole lot of love. 

I suppose darkness is all around us if that's what we choose to see. But again, if there is darkness, there must be light. If there is evil, there must be good. If there is despair, there must be hope. If there is confusion, there must be certainty. If there are falsehoods, there must be truth. Sometimes these things are hard to see. Light and truth aren't nearly as captivating or intriguing as their opposites. They aren't nearly so loud or as demanding. But goodness, light, and truth are all there, if we choose to see it. 

And for those that may be too burdened by grief to see it now, there is hope and there are good things to come. Just hang on! Perhaps our detours don't seem to make much sense when they are forced upon us, but perhaps, maybe in due time?, they too will lead us to a place, somewhere, that offers peace, comfort, and refuge from the storm. 

What goodness have you found this week?

For more on: The Infinite Power of Hope

For more on: LDS Temples

Liberty Jail





When I was in Kansas City in February, I made a stop at a place called Liberty Jail. An ironic name for a jail I know. This jail is an important part of early Mormon history, but perhaps not for reasons you might think.

 

 

It was at this jail, in the brutal winter of 1838-39, that the first president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Mormon Prophet, Joseph Smith, was unjustly incarcerated for four months. He, and the other early church leaders that were arrested with him, suffered harsh cold, hunger, and sickness in their cramped quarters with a ceiling height of just six feet. Their suffering was made worse with the knowledge that their families and other Saints were being driven from their homes under Missouri Governor Lilburn Bogg's mandate that "the Mormons...must be exterminated or driven from the state."

 



 

This was one of the darkest times in Joseph's Smith's short life. Five years after this incident, he would be found in yet another jail under unjust charges and would lose his life at the hands of a mob.

 

Despite the evil and awfulness that occurred at Liberty Jail, Mormons or Latter-day Saints choose to remember it for the beautiful lessons that were taught there. This is why the jail is now restored and protected by the Visitor's Center you see below.

 



I arrived on a Thursday evening and found with delight that I would have my own personal tour. I had been here several years before but wanted to revisit it in hopes that I might remember a few things. A lovely sister missionary from the state of Washington was my tour guide.

As I learned about the events leading up to Joseph Smith's incarceration here and the trial of his faith as he endured the conditions, I was reminded that all is not lost in times of despair however brutally painful our despair may be. Of course, no one wants to hear that, myself included. Joseph Smith even cried out in his agony, "O God, where art thou?...How long shall thy hand be stayed..?"

I'm sure we have all thought this at some point in our lives. I've always known that there is a God. I've always known that He is near and will not abandon me. But I have not always agreed with His timing or what He may allow to happen in my life. There have been times when I too have asked, "Can't I be done yet? Haven't I learned enough by now?" Apparently, I still have a ways to go.

While I have never doubted the existence of God and His love for me in times of trial, I do often forget to turn to Him for strength. After all, I'm an independent go-getter, I can fix things on my own. But by forgetting or refusing to turn to Him, I miss out on His support and the lessons He would have me learn.

Joseph Smith turned to God in his despair and was given, among other lessons, this one that is often quoted by Latter-day Saints.

If thou art called to pass through tribulation...if thou art in perils among robbers; if thou art in perils by land or by sea...If thou art accused with all manner of false accusations; if thine enemies fall upon thee; And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.

 The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?

 Therefore, hold on thy way...

These words may not be very comforting in times of despair. Who cares about experience when you're drowning in sorrow? But the part I do find comforting is that Christ "descended below them all." As a Christian, I believe that Christ not only died for us (every single one of us) but that he atoned for us (every single one of us) in the Garden of Gethsemane. This means that He not only suffered for our sins but for our heartaches and sorrows, our longings and injustices. He, who was perfect, suffered all that He might "succor those in need." He knows what we are going through because He has been there. He has felt what we feel. The grace that comes through this atonement is an enabling power that offers divine strength and love. In times of despair, if we turn to God instead of away from Him, we can feel of this strength, this love, and somehow, day by day, we can make it through even the toughest of times.

I have had an opportunity this month to reflect on the atonement of Jesus Christ as I've taught this topic to my 15 and 16 year olds in Sunday school class. I try not to wax religious on my blog but found it hard not to given my stop in Kansas City and the approaching Easter holiday.

While I would really, really appreciate an easier way - perhaps a Get Out of Jail Free card, I am grateful to know that through the atonement of Jesus Christ I can find peace and comfort and strength to face the heartaches and challenges of my day. It may require constant prayer and constant searching, but I can make it step by step as I walk with my Savior and become ever closer to Him. The power of the atonement is real. Of that I testify.

For more on Lessons from Liberty Jail

For more on Jesus Christ

Speaking Out

Rough Start

Growing up a shy introvert, speaking out has always been hard for me. In high school, our English classes would have book discussions where our grade was determined by our participatory comments. Each student was usually required to make at least two comments. I loathed these discussions. I was perfectly willing to take a zero rather than make a silly comment just to get a check mark. I distinctly remember one day in Junior AP English class when we had one of these dreaded book discussions. I was the only one left in the class who had not received two check marks. The teacher knew this and indirectly called me out on it. The classmate sitting next to me was BJ Symons. (He would go on to play QB for Texas Tech with a brief stint at the Houston Texans.) He was trying to help me out and told me to "Just say something!" I refused.

While I have come a long way since high school, speaking out is still not natural for me. I feel it is a challenge that continues to confront me with increasing difficulty, but a challenge I feel I am supposed to continue to overcome. In law school I had to stare down this fear of speaking out every day in classes where professors are not always forgiving and do not always ask easy questions. It is the same today. I face judges who like to argue and call you out on your shortcomings. Again, while I have come a long way, I feel more challenges await that will continue to test my ability and courage to speak out.



Religious Freedom

When I was in Kansas City a few weeks ago for a legal conference, there was a panel discussion on religious freedom. In the past several years we have seen an erosion of religious liberties and expression. The panel discussion referenced the Hobby Lobby case (a suit against the federal government mandate to provide contraceptives, including abortifacient drugs, in employee insurance plans - arguments to be heard by the US Supreme Court later this month) and the NM Photography case (a suit against a photographer who declined to photograph a commitment ceremony between a same-sex couple as it violated her religious beliefs - NM courts said she must pay a fine for refusing). 

During the course of the discussion, one panelist focused on the need to speak out. He said those that are chipping away at religious freedom and expression are not afraid to speak. They do so loudly and employ all manner of social media. They call supporters of religious freedom bigots and use intimidation. After all this, he says, what do we hear from the other side? Nothing but crickets chirping. No one wants to be called a bigot but we must speak up. He referenced a case in his home state of Kansas. He said that state legislators look to social media to see what is being discussed and consider it when making their decisions. He said if we are not talking, our cause will not be heard.

I tried my hand at speaking out via Facebook after the 2012 presidential election. As a single, educated woman I was tired of being lumped together in the same category as other similarly situated women that I did not agree with and who did not represent me. I debated on stating my beliefs so publicly. I'm not sure what kind of a reaction I was expecting or fearing. And despite the fact that my statement was posted on the internet as opposed to given in a public speech, I still worried. Needlessly, however, as nothing happened but a show of support from friends.*

The panelist at the conference suggested we first become informed about religious freedom. We befriend those of other faiths who have similar concerns. Then we start talking. On social media, on blogs, and in our communities.

Throughout the panel discussion the quote from Edmund Burke kept echoing in my head.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men [and women] to do nothing."

Malala's Example

I am currently reading the book I am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai. At age 11, Malala was speaking out for girl's education at the risk of her own life. In addition, she was blogging anonymously through the BBC about going to school in Taliban-controlled Pakistan. She was meeting with ambassadors demanding they help in the fight for girl's education. She was interviewed by journalists on a regular basis. Because she was willing to speak out against the Taliban, unlike many in her valley, she was hunted down and shot in the head. At age 16, the Taliban have been unable to silence her and she continues to speak out. She has been nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize.

On Friday, speaking to a group of youth in London, she said, "I could either not speak and die, or speak and then die. I chose the second one." **

As I read her story, there is no doubt in my mind that one young woman can change the world.



Keep Talking

I heard once that in order for those who are soft spoken to know they are speaking at the correct volume, they need to feel like they are shouting. Perhaps the same applies to speaking out. For introverts to know they are saying enough, they need to feel like they have said too much.

 

Wherever you may be, for whatever cause you may be fighting, join the conversation and "just say something!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more on religious freedom:

- Like FB Group Support Religious Freedom

-Visit Becket Fund & American Religious Freedom

-For those in California, visit Pacific Justice Institute 

 

 

 

* My FB comment:

I am a single, educated woman with an advanced degree. There's been lots of talk about my demographic in the past few weeks and I just wanted to be clear on a few things.

I believe in God. I believe in life. I believe that marriage is a divine institution between one man and one woman. I believe in chastity before marriage and fidelity after. And even though I may be a practicing attorney, I can think of no job I want more than to be a stay-at-home mom.

If these “social issues” in which I believe mark me with the additional labels of ignorant, backwards, stuck in the 1950s, etc., then so be it. In this ever-changing world in which we live, I still believe there are truths and constants that remain, however unpopular they may be.

November 9, 2012