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What Shall We Do About It?
A succession of small successfully kept promises leads to integrity. As we keep our promises, we feel the Spirit in our lives. Experience is not just an aggregate of heterogeneous items of mental content, but a structured whole whose two poles are pure consciousness, as a constitutive, meaning-conferring activity, and the World, conceived as the transcendent correlate of these intentional acts of consciousness. Between many of us and the World there is ever an unmasked question: unasked by some through feelings of delicacy; by others through the difficulty of rightly framing it. All, nevertheless, flutter round it. Why did God make some of us outcast and strangers in our own house? Many people feel different from others in heart and life and longing; shut out from the vast World by a veil. However, over the years, as we mature, all this fine contempt begins to fade for the Worlds we long for, and all its dazzling opportunities becomes more appealing. We want to use our best powers and latent genius. These powers of body and mind have in the past been strangely wasted, dispersed, or forgotten. The powers flashed here and there like falling stars, and died sometimes before the World had rightly gauged their brightness. #RandolphHarris 1 of 9
Intellectual work is misnamed; it is a pleasure, a dissipation, and its own highest reward. Aspirations of human beings runs so deep as to be virtually definitive of what it is to be a human being: the aspiration to find one’s own individual being in a rational necessity of some sort. The innate love of harmony and beauty that set the souls of people forward with strength and courage is pure consciousness. To teach and help raise a sin-resistant generation might strike a deep spiritual cord within you. We have a master concept of human existence in the Holy Bible, which teaches us about the total human reality. Life must be treated as a spontaneous activity of consciousness and not as something that is passively suffered or undergone. Emotion is in fact not a physiological phenomenon, but a certain total mode of relating oneself to the World; its peculiar strategy is that of a magical transformation of given situations that bypass the necessity for dealing with them by rational, step-by-step methods. Thus, sadness makes the World appear sad so that it offers no opening to our efforts to change it, and in this way it justifies our passivity by making purposeful effort seems pointless. #RandolphHarris 2 of 9
This self-imposed passivity is called a degradation of consciousness, a concept which is a clear forerunner of the bad faith that figures so largely with people who have lost confidence in humanity. How can emotion (or any other mental function) be interpreted as a spontaneous and purposive activity without attributing an intolerably sophisticated kind of self-consciousness to those who have the emotion? We have to set up an intermediate kind of self-awareness between explicit or reflective consciousness of self (as when I am writing and think to myself, I am writing) and events of which we are completely unconscious (for example, the circulation of the blood). This intermediary is exemplified by the awareness that I have of what I am doing—my intention—while I am doing. This is what is known as a non-positional consciousness and the strategies of action, such as those which are taken to be characteristic of the emotions, can be attributed to it without any of the incongruities that would result is explicit or verbal self-awareness were required. #RandolphHarris 3 of 9
We honor people who strive to live pure and obedient lives. The strength of many people throughout the World is resilient, steadfast, and immovable in a variety of challenging circumstances and environments. These people with pure consciousness understand their divine identity, feel the Heavenly Father’s love for them, and seek to obey his will. The human consciousness is free because it is forced to think of itself as—and this is—other than the World and unincorporable into any casual sequences it may discern within the World. The feeling of anguish is our experience of this freedom. There who are susceptible to negativity. People who do not have the proper influences in their lives and their minds are being wounded, and are in need of some reinforcement and support. There is kind of a reality-negating function which is happening in some families and in the community where people in positions of authority are knowingly setting bad examples by telling others to fight certain individuals and making them feel that it is okay to do drugs and drink liquor, and it is not. Many attempt to conceal with freedom from themselves by a variety of devices, the most typical of which is belief in some form of psychological determinism. #RandolphHarris 4 of 9
All of these efforts are doomed to failure because human beings can try to conceal their freedom only to the extent that they recognize it. The attempt succeeds only in producing a paradoxical internal duality of consciousness in which consciousness thinks of itself as a thing at the same time that it gives recognition to its freedom. This state, which has to be carefully distinguished both from lying to others and from the Freudian conception of a manipulation of consciousness by subconscious forces called bad faith. Its antithesis is an acceptance of one’s own freedom and a recognition that human beings are the absolute origin of, and are solely responsible for, their own acts. When you are planning to mug someone or rob a business, how do you get past all the thoughts telling you that what you are about to do is very, very wrong? How is it that criminals who carry out immoral acts day after day manage to convince themselves that they are actually rational people? To be a career criminal, you either have to be a master of self-deception, or genuinely just do not care. The majority of criminals either make excuses for, or attempt to justify, their actions. #RandolphHarris 5 of 9
There is little evidence that criminals make justifications prior to committing the crimes, so it is possible—and somewhat likely—that they are conjured up afterwards as a way to mitigate the guilt. Criminals use a technique called neutralization theory. By using the neutralization theory, criminals are able to ignore values that would otherwise prohibit them from carrying our certain acts by: denial of responsibility, denial of injury, denial of the victim, condemnation of the condemners, and appealing to higher loyalties. This impossible combination of being-for-itself and being-in-itself, and in this impossibility is the ultimate reason for the hopeless character of these human enterprises (which is an attempt to make oneself God). And there is no way you can teach these people why what they are doing is wrong because they know and do not care and they will repeat the behavior until they have achieved their objective or are punished by the law. Their life-attitudes are self-contradictory because they are making an effort to achieve the status of a thing while remaining a consciousness that contemplates itself as a thing. #RandolphHarris 6 of 9
However, their effort to convince themselves that they are God must fail, or while human beings (in most cases) are absolutely responsible for their choices, their existence is not the result of conscious choice. It is simply a fact, and it is uneliminable contingency makes it impossible for human beings to be ontologically self-sufficient in the way that God must be. These criminals often justify their wrong doings to others, including attempted murder or murder, by blaming corrupt politicians, police, and society. They also convince themselves that the ends justify the means by saying their victims deserved it or were asking for it, and they keep telling themselves that they are doing good and being successful, and repeat it so many times that they actually believe it. They treat them crimes as a skill and it helps them mitigate feelings of guilt. In their minds, it legitimizes the behavior. Criminals may view themselves as skilled entrepreneurs rather than someone who made a living by committing immoral acts. Alma 8.11 reports: We do not believe in such foolish traditions. We have enlisted in the cause of Christ to withstand the powers of Lucifer. We need to strengthen our spiritual strategies. #RandolphHarris 7 of 9
Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. We must teach people to become sin-resistant by teaching ourselves and others to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and to pray and to walk uprightly before the Lord. The Spirit will inspire us in the most effective ways we can spiritually inoculate our children. Being sin-resistant means being continually repentant, vigilant, and valiant. To help people become sin-resistant, we have to lovingly infuse them with the respect of the law and to honor God and want to be honest and understand that it is important to be on a high moral level, even when no one is paying attention to their behavior because God sees everything and will judge us for our actions. Keeping commitments prepares people to make and keep sacred covenants. When we talk about covenant keeping, we are talking about the heart and soul of our purpose in mortality. There is unusual power in making and keeping covenants with our Heavenly Father. It is even important to keep simple promises with our friends and family because it will empower us to keep holy covenants. #RandolphHarris 8 of 9
The consummate reward of integrity is the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. Out of the well of integrity springs an empowered sin-resistant generation. The youth are great imitators, so we have to give them something great to imitate. True moral freedom is now projected into a future that will not be realized until the dialectic of human antagonism has run its course, and of this future we are indeed helping to teach and raise a sin-resistant generation unto the Lord promise by promise and covenant by covenant. We need to take a conscientious effort to devote our energy and time to the things that truly matter, while we uplift others and build the kingdom of God. Hearing the word of God with earnest intent leads us to believe in God and to trust his promises. The more we trust God, the more our hearts are filled with love for him and for each other. Because we love God, we want to serve him; we want to bless the lives of others and help the poor and needy. The more we walk in this path of discipleship, the more we desire to learn the word of God fillings us with ever-increasing faith, hope and charity. It is beautifully simple, and it works beautifully. #RandolphHarris 9 of 9
1164 Morning Glory Circle
There will always be something worth living for while there are shimmery afternoons. Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Do not wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it is at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored. Pause for a moment an enjoy the elegant show window of a prestigious furniture store. Let the beautifully designed sofa, and the comfortable-appearing chairs and the coffee table catch your eyes. Gaze at the amazing chandelier positioned overhead, and let your eyes rest as you image yourself relaxing with the evening paper. Each person is passionate about his or her own projects and is primarily interested in cultivating them with the minimum outside interference. To some extent, modern humans are capable of governing themselves, but their individual resources are insufficient. In order to prevent constant collision and frustration, some agency is required which will supervise a set of rules that is designed simply to serve this limited purpose. #RandolphHarris 1 of 11
The image of the perfect ruler that of the umpire or referee who controls the game without participating in it himself or herself is the ideal protector of humanity. There will also be times when you will have to demonstrate your righteous courage in plain view of your peers, the consequences of which may be ridicule and embarrassment. Additionally, in your World, skirmishes with an adversary will also be fought on a silent, solitary battlefield in front of a screen. The political skeptic of government warns against the tendency of the specific activity of government to turn into something more grandiose and quite different. For there are many who dream of a perfectly harmonious condition of affairs and who deplore the waste and lack of planning in modern life. Such people regard the government as a vast reservoir of powers that are to be captured and guided in the direction of their own political dream. Politics thus becomes an encounter of dreams, and the umpire abandons his or her position and begins to play the game on his or her own account. In life, as in business, there has always been a need for those persons who could be called finishers. Their ranks are few, their opportunities many, their contributions great. #RandolphHarris 2 of 11
From the very beginning to the present time, a fundamental question remains to be answered by each of us who runs the race of life. Shall I falter or shall I finish? On the answer await the blessings of joy and happiness here in mortality and eternal life in the World to come. For the skeptical conservative, one dream is on par with any other. Governments are not, and cannot be expected to become, repositories of truth: any such claims are impostures. A government that actually governs, rather than imposing some dream or other upon its subjects, will be guided, not by a vision of truth, nor by the attempt to impose one project upon its subjects, but by the evolution of the society it rules. Social life constantly generates new situations: some activities decline and new ones arise, a process which requires an adaption of the rules governing the society. However, the changes in the rules should always grow out of, rather than be imposed upon, the life which they regulate. Further, changes should be made economically or else they may lose their effectiveness. #RandolphHarris 3 of 11
Frequent changes are deplorable in that they give rise to feverish hopes and disappointments which encourage further dreams of taking over the resources of government. All human achievements have been made (and sustained) in the face of great difficulties: authorities exist to guard such achievements and traditions against the continual threat of human folly, laziness, blindness, and stupidity. Conservatism stresses our responsibilities to our duties rather than on rights. We are not left without guidance to make this momentous decision. The Holy Bible contains those accounts, even those lessons, which, if carefully learned, will serve us well and be as a beacon light to guide our thoughts and influence our actions. As we read, we sympathize with those who falter. We honor those who finish. The moment God put a dream in your heart, the moment the promise took root, God not only started it, but he set a completion date. God is called the Author and the Finisher of our Faith. He would not have given you the dream, the promise would not have come alive, if God did not already have a plan to make it come true. #RandolphHarris 4 of 11
Maybe at one time you believed that you could do something extraordinary. You had a dream of living the apple pie life, with a big house, two fancy cars, a three-bedroom house with three full bathrooms, and two main bedrooms, rooms big enough to fit more than one bed, stained glass windows, a washer dryer combination that literally does everything for you…washes, rinses, dries, and shuts off…in one continuous operation…without watching. Once you have tossed in soiled clothes, add Persil Pro Clean, set the time and temperature dials, your work is finished. Take them out at your leisure…clean, completely dried, and “Sun-freshed”…ready to iron, or fold and put away. Your hands never touch water, never come in contact with bleaches nor detergents. Wash at any time of the day, up to ten pounds of clothes. And then zip through a big family ironing in record time with the new Kenmore Automatic Ironer Machine, which features two roll speeds—fast for flat work and slow for fancy ruffles and frills. Both shoe and press controls helps to free hands for guiding work. With an exclusive adjustable light for best work area illumination. And a new, large drop-leaf, laps shelf. Easily accessible release bar. White baked-on enamel finish, and hinged cover and chrome hardware. #RandolphHarris 5 of 11
You believed that you could have a twin top with griddle where you could roast a turkey and all the trimmings, broil other meats and vegetables, fry apple rings on the griddle—all this at the same time! With a smokeless waist-high broiler that is over-size. Chrome-plated broiler rack that adjusts easily to desired height. You dream of an oven with a deep Roast-R-Pan and trivet. With a Visi-bake own door that lets you have the fun of seeing what is cooking; peek-switch turns on oven light. Three giant, two standard top burners, and two Warm-R-Burners. Cook top covers with baking charts inside. Two utility drawers. And a Kenmore garbage burner where you dump food scraps, sweeper dirt and rubbish—anything burnable with a heavy-gauge steel body with a smooth, metallic brown baked-on enamel finish that has a top, grate, burner that is sturdy, warp-resistant cast iron. And of course, a kitchen with an automatic dishwasher, and a Coldspot freezer that can store up to 350 meals and have eleven convenient food store sections. With a quick-freeze compartment, three food elevator baskets, two storage baskets and adjustable basket. Ready rack to store juices, ice cream and small items. Along with a Coldspot refrigerator with rust proof structural aluminum shelving and an automobile type door lock. Color-tone interior beauty…gleaming white porcelain enamel with colorful harmonizing trim. #RandolphHarris 6 of 11
God is telling you do not let lies play around in your mind. Your dream is not over. Keep thinking about the details of what you want. God set a completion date. It does not matter how long it has been or how impossible it looks. If you will stay in faith and not talk yourself out of it, it is just a matter of time before your dreams come true. Just because it has not happened yet does not mean it is not going to happen. God has already lined up the right people, the right opportunities, the right answers. Everything you need is already in your future. Let go of the doubt, shake off the discouragement. Whether it has been a year or one hundred and twenty-two years, what God promised you he still has every intention of bringing it to pass. In the Scripture, it reports that the Holy Spirit revealed to a man called Simeon that: he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah (Luke 2.26). You can image how far out that promise seemed. As time went by, and Simeon did not see any sign of the Messiah, negative thoughts came: “You heard God wrong. It has been too long. It is never going to happen.” #RandolphHarris 7 of 11
Nevertheless, Simeon awakened every morning believing, expecting, and knowing that it would happen, and one day it did. The promise came to a dramatic fulfillment and Simeon declared, “My eyes have seen God’s salvation!” I am keeping the faith that my dream will come true. I want a house just like Darrin and Samantha Stephens from Bewtiched, and exact replica down to the furniture and appliances, the only difference is I want a turret with a witches cap. And God is saying to all of us, in reference to our dreams, science does not matter, have faith and know that he is going to finish what he started. No one and nothing can stop God from fulfilling his promises. And God put that promise of that house in my heart as a kid. God promised to bring even the secret petitions of our hearts to completion. Some will try to push us down, steal our dreams, and talk us into settling for mediocrity, but we need to have this new attitude and believe that whatever God started in our lives, he will finish. Will you keep believing even though it looks impossible? Will you stay in faith, even though every voice tells you it is not happening? #RandolphHarris 8 of 11
Samantha had no idea that she would ever meet Darrin, that they would get married, but they kept bumping into each other. One day, he came home from work and told her that he no longer wanted to live in someone else’s house with furnishings and curtains they picked out, and surprised her with a house he bought while she thought he was at work. It was a dream come true. If people want to believe the things in movies and on the Silvertone Console matched five-ply mahogany veneer television with magnificent “Photo-Tune” pictures that brings all the magic of no glare into our living rooms are real, could you image how much better our lives would be if we focused on the good stuff, and had faith in God? The Scripture says that for years Rachel desired to have a baby, but she had fertility problems. After she had given up on her dreams, it reported that: God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and enabled her to conceive (Genesis 30.22). It does not say that Rachel remembered God, but she must have been living right. So somewhere in her heart and mind she kept the divine law active. This is how much God wants you to fulfill your destiny. So, what are the incompletions in your life that you need to stay in faith about? #RandolphHarris 9 of 11
Lust of power, greed of popularity, and disdain for honor have every appeared as faces of failure in the panorama of life. Captivated by their artificial attraction, many noble souls have stumbled and fallen, thus losing the crown of victory reserved for the finisher of life’s great journey. We cannot impress upon you enough, it is best to be popular with God because eternal life is important. There is more to come after life on Earth and you do not want to spend your eternity in Hell. The damned do further evil in Hell. By doing further evil, they lose more being. The damned are confined in different places according to the second nature that they have acquired for themselves. Those, for example, who have given into wrath during their Earthly lives will be consigned to a place with like-minded people. The damned can then act according to their second nature and the sufferings and pain which they undergo emerge from their behaviour, as well as the behaviour and acts of others around them. So, people who are wrathful in their Earthly life, will be attacked and torn apart by others wrathful people. The damned cannot affect anyone with their evil actions as long as the person affected are the damned and so no further evil done. They wanted to live foul and that is what they will experience. #RandolphHarris 10 of 11
Though Jesus was tempted by the evil one, he resisted. Though he was hated, he loved. Though he was betrayed, he triumphed. Not in a cloud of glory or chariot of fire was Jesus to depart mortality, but with his arms outstretched in agony upon a cruel cross. Mortality ended. Immortality began. Times change, circumstances vary, but the true marks of a finisher remain. Know them well, for they are vital to our success. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in humans. Recognize that faith and doubt cannot exist in the same mind at the same time, for one will dispel the other. Let virtue garnish your thoughts unceasingly. Courage becomes a living and active virtue when it is regarded as determination to live. When the burdens of life become heavy, when trials test one’s faith, when pain, sorrow, and despair cause the light of hope to flicker and burn low, communication with our Heavenly Father provides peace. Behave like a child of God, this is one who will finish life. Helaman 15.5 reports: Walk circumspectly before God, and observe and keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments according to the law of Moses. I pray that we will all be a finisher in this race of life and thus qualify for that precious prize: eternal life with our Heavenly Father in the celestial kingdom. #RandolphHarris 11 of 11
The Details of Human Behavior are Unpredictable
God will hold us responsible for all the wonderful things on Earth that we refuse to enjoy. It is better than we should be servants of a kind master than the slave to our own wild passion. All conservatives are united in the belief that human affairs are extremely complicated and that the details of human behavior are unpredictable: this we may call the complexity thesis. The nature of human beings is intricate; the objects of society are of the greatest possible complexity: and be suitable either to human’s nature to qualify their affairs. Many conservatives have accepted some version of the doctrine of original sin and have taken the view that government is ordained by God as a remedy for human defect. It is heartwarming for us to receive so many good wishes from you all during the past six months and to feel your acceptance. Many of you have reported that you are praying for our President. We feel that spiritual strength and gratefully acknowledge it—both to you and to our Father in Heaven. Most people have agreed that virtue, stability, and civilization depend on the continuity of long-established institutions. Political stability is founded on state, church, and family, whole moral stability rests upon a strong sense of duty, preferably buttressed by religious belief. #RandolphHarris 1 of 6
Conservative accounts of the nature of humans may emphasize either our enduring sinfulness or our frailty. The only position conservatives cannot take without ceasing to be conservative is the belief that people are fundamentally good and perhaps ultimately perfectible. Jacob 4.13 reports: The Spirit speaks the truth and does not lie. Wherefore, it speaks of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly for the salvation of our souls. Religion is not a thing apart from life. It is not principles and ordinances or missionary work or leadership as an end in themselves. It is manifested by the kind of people we are, by our relationship with our Heavenly Father and his Son and all the commandments, by the measure in which we qualify for the approval of our own Spirit-guided conscience, and by the way we treat other people. It is a continuing marvel to me how well and with what grace and unselfish goodness so many live this sacred commandment. And is it sad to think that some may, in joyless version of the gospel, miss the special blessing awaiting on the path established by our Savior and leading to the highest joy through Christian service and sacrifice. #RandolphHarris 2 of 6
I never trust writers or entertainers who say critics do not bother them. Adversity is all about us and among us. It is an inevitable element of mortality, and many have some share in it ultimately. An explosive device detonates on London Subway, on 15 September 2017, injuring commuters. This is the fifth attack on London in 2017. Authorities confirm in this specific attack 29 people were injured at Parson Green Tube station in Southwest London. Thankfully there were not life-threatening injuries. God and Christ love us with a mature, perfect love. The plan by which they lead requires mortal instruments of their love. We have the great honor to be invited to be such instruments. We need them, but they also need us. In this service, we find the foundation of those blessings that God wants us to enjoy. If you will always be more fair and more kind to others than a few of them may sometimes be to you, you will enjoy every sweet blessing life afford. The sweetness of true Christian service is often experienced in obscurity—in quiet rooms in houses and hospitals and places of confinement, in military barracks, schools, and in other places far from public attention. Usually it is unheralded, but it reflects the standards set by the Savior for those who will inherit the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the World. These are they who serve the hungry and the thirsty and the unclothed and homeless and those who are sick and imprisoned, and who do this after the pattern in the spirit of God. To those who so serve God promised eternal life. #RandolphHarris 3 of 6
Do you not supposed that this is all; for after you have done all these things, if you turn away the needy, and unclothed, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, is you have, to those who stand in need—if you do none of these things, behold, your prayer is vain, and nothing will come to you because you are hypocrites who do deny the faith. Empathy cuts through our isolation, generating a network of interconnection. Empathy brings our heart out of the cold. Empathy makes compassion possible. However, empathy also needs an empathic boundary, meaning we sometimes need to take a step back so we do not get overly absorbed in or identified with others’ emotional states—standing back just far enough to keep them in clear focus, resonating with what they are feeling without losing ourselves in it. Being empathetic does not mean putting up with other people’s emotional and mental nor physical mess because we feel what they are feeling, but it does make it very difficult to dehumanize them, regardless of how strong a stand we might need to take with them. Empathy helps keep us from getting numb, heady, or overly detached. It begins with and reinforced vulnerability. #RandolphHarris 4 of 6
Emotional literacy blends emotional sensitivity, understanding, and savvy. It means knowing what you are feeling while you are feeling it, and being able to both contain and openly express it. That spirit is still operative among the people of the Church. We should not have to talk about our religion to others, our values should come through like the Sun in the Summertime. One of the first steps in developing greater emotional literacy is uncovering whatever shame you might have about your lack of such literacy. We need to cultivate intimacy with our emotions, getting close enough to all of them, to know them and our ways of handling them from the inside. The people whom they served have looked upon them with almost the reverence that they might have bestowed upon the Savior himself. And when they have experiences this purifying blessing—the blessing of service. Each of your emotions is worth getting to know very, very well—its nature, its purpose, its expression, its containment, its value, your history with it, your use of it. Across the World, such individual investment of self in service is happening, following the example and teachings of the Lord, who laid upon the altar his very life for the blessing of others. #RandolphHarris 5 of 6
Sometimes hurts to the heart are more damaging than physical blows. Yes, they may take longer to heal, but they will heal more quickly if we avoid bitterness and anger and practice forgiveness. The royal law of love is of sacred significance in the Lord’s program for his people—an element as vital as any other in the gospel. It is inseparable from them and the spirit of them. It is well known to us institutionally; indeed, the Church to which we have the honor to belong is celebrated for knowing and acting upon it on occasions of great need across the Earth. Courage is an essential attribute, for without it other highly valued qualities, like compassion and integrity, would lack the strength and resolve needed to shift into actions. Take pride in what we (and others) have done can be a beautiful part of honoring ourselves and others. The human soul is infinite and not in the least under its own command. Love: an absorbing concentration on some one object, an intense movement to a single point, a gravitation of your whole being around a solitary centre. May we honor that commandment and those who do so well personally to accept God’s invitation to impart to others both temporally and spiritually, according to their needs. That we may do so, I humbly pray, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. #RandolphHarris 6 of 6
Envision What a Happy Ending Might Look Like
Dreams are the bright creatures of poem and legend, who sport on Earth in the night season, and melt away in the first bream of the Sun, which lights grim care and stern reality on their daily pilgrimage through the World. Human beings can achieve goodness and fulfill their nature when they act according to reason. A person who lives his or her life according to reason is a good and happy person. How necessary and important it is that we all continually strive to improve ourselves and prepare for the day when a call might come to serve in a new or more responsible position! The whole purpose of our existence in mortality is to build the kingdom of God and to prove ourselves worthy to go back to into God’s presence. To act and live according to reason is what is objectively good for every human being. However, this does not suppose that every human being knowingly desires a life lived according to reason. Wishing what is ultimately good is to desire union with God, and only those who exercise their specifying potentiality—reason—can do so. Part of what it is to suffer is to prevent someone from being what he or she ought to be, that is, to prevent him or her from flourishing. On the other hand, to cause someone to suffer is to prevent him or her from fulfilling his or her desires. Therefore, suffering is bad because it undermines or destroys what the sufferer cares about, his or her own flourishing, his or her desires, or both. #RandolphHarris 1 of 6
Fate is just even to rival storytellers, and balance matters. In this brief time, away from our Heavenly home and parents is a time when we are given agency for the purpose of being tried and tested in every way. There will be some days when we are stressed and sad, and we will face some hard tests. It is important to learn from them and grow from them. These experiences will teach us to be stronger. God cares and loves you very, very much. The experience of pain and heartaches, sorrows, and tribulations give us all experience; we can also make them work for our own good. Difficulties are just God’s errands. If we are sent upon them, it is an evidence of his confidence in us. Therefore, let us be glad, be happy, for it is a way of being wise. God loves you and he is ever willing to help you at all times. Just call on God through fervent prayers. God never fails; he is there, he is listening, and he cares very deeply about you. With daily prayer, scripture study, and our feet firmly planted on the road to the celestial kingdom, we have a perfect brightness of hope. God loves with a great love the people whose heart is bursting with a passion for the extraordinary. When you face situations that seem impossible, we should pray. When we ask, God releases favor. #RandolphHarris 2 of 6
I remember how I seemed to float, then, down the melancholy glory of that track upon the sea, away into the World of dreams. There is a secret way of the soul which all may know, it is the way of peace and love. This secret way leads into places of joy and into the house of God. It is the way of the spirit and all may enter who will. Plant your feet firmly on the path to the celestial kingdom. Lift up your heart and let your soul rejoice, and never give up. When you ask God, angels go to work and strongholds are broken. When you ask, God beings to turn things around in your favor, and you will see the greatness of God. As love enters, fear vanishes. God will fill us with love that no fear can enter our thoughts and perfect intelligence guards and governs our every act. Our soul will rejoice at the realization of life, and we cannot be depressed because God has claimed us as his own. The light of God has come and the day of salvation is near. We need those who bring gladness into our lives. We need those who give encouragement and reflect optimism. Sincere yet simple words of praise can lift souls and bring gladness. Encouragement can be quick and simple, but it is a voice of gladness that is needed by everyone. Some things in life are precious like freedom and liberty and are very important. Many have had their lives changed permanently fighting for our freedom, but their voices of gladness overshadow the prevailing interruption and sacrifices they have made for all of us. #RandolphHarris 3 of 6
You have no right to dispose of your future destiny whilst there is the least probable chance you may be reclaimed. God never made a promise that was too good to be true. Hope springs eternal for those who have the vision to trust in and to live by God’s inspired principles. Thank God for noble souls who can and do weather life’s storms with sincere voices of gladness which overshadow the present and make the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ real and strengthening. Have a faith that God can see. Put actions behind what you believe. Demonstrate your faith. You may not see how your dream could ever work out, but as you take steps in faith, you will see God open new doors. You will have the strength to do what you could not do. You will see God’s favor in unusual ways. The voices of gladness from the scriptures remind us that we do not have to walk through life alone. We do not have to run around like savages jumping on each other’s bones. Christ came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. 2 Nephi 25.23 reports: For we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do. Therefore, know that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. #RandolphHarris 4 of 6
Let us remember that acts of kindness with pure motives and righteous purposes can be and are encouraged to be done in quietness, gentle voices, and in privacy. We can program ourselves to build, encourage, and give strength. Moroni 7.47 reports: Charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endures forever; and who is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him or her. God’s spirit and power will comfort us as we extend ourselves in help and love to those who need us. However, God’s commandment that as we love him, we must respect ourselves, suggests we must not accept disrespect from others. It is not charity to bow down in despair and helplessness. That kind of suffering should be ended, and that is very difficult to do alone. If we help individuals to relieve pain, or loneliness, or injustice in our own communities, God promises that a compassion would enter our hearts, and through the Holy Ghost sanctification could take place within our souls, and we will become more like our Savior. I pray in all humility that our faith in God may move us to such action and that we may thus know, by the Holy Spirit, the meaning of charity, so that we can exercise it in our lives. #RandolphHarris 5 of 6
What secret of happiness is greater than to follow your illusions? Experience is a great teacher, except when it is not. What we make of experience—and whether it serves us or harms us—depends on the knowledge we build out of it. And make no mistake: we are all master knowledge builders, able to turn the most random events into meaningful knowledge about the World and how to operate it. Much of this knowledge is called experiential knowledge, and it lies outside our awareness, where it is difficult to see or assess. Father in Heaven, thank you for bring to completion the good work you began in us. You promised to complete our incompletions. So, thank you Lord that the fulfillment of our dreams is on the way, even the secret petitions of our hearts. You spoke the Worlds into existence, and you have us in the palm of your hands. I believe that you will make sure we complete what you put us here to do. As we move forward in faith, the foundation of greatness is being laid, which will allow us to go beyond our barriers and become everything God created us to be, and everything he intended for us to have will come to fruition. In Jesus name, Amen. #RandolphHarris 6 of 6
Corruption is the Enemy of Development
No program should set out to create failure or humiliate participants. The divide-and-conquer method might have been contrived in the religious and political realms, sharpened on the battlefield, and perfected in the dating game, but this technique can also be used to the individual’s advantage it is meant to harm. The divide-and-conquer may seem fruitless in modern times because the problems it creates become much more complicated as the input grows. There will always be resistance. Though power may tend to corrupt, there will always be those who believe in righteousness. Also, self-control and self-mastery leads to self-governance, and the realization that we do not necessarily need membership in a group we cannot trust. We do not need a chain of obedience or a corrupt hierarchical system. We only need leaders: preferably self-leadership that leads by healthy example. When we are isolated, we are better able to focus on our areas needing development. Our flexibility and resilience depends on the meaning we make out of a disappointing experience, and the strength of the relationships that shape, even transform, that experiences. #RandolphHarris 1 of 6
One reason many leaders never make it to the top is because they never fail, leaving them at a loss when they do. It is not failure alone, but the ability to put failure to good use that creates endurance and success. When a person is able to make good things out of bad experiences, this allows one to transcend or recast painful experiences—or at least endure them with good humor. Good leaders develop good attitudes and lead to speak to people’s hearts, and not only will that individual, but also their audience will emerge from their caves of doom and gloom, like one awakened from sleep, to the World in which we live again. A collective force of free individuals living with the mindset that cosmic laws based on health, wellness, and survival are the keys to well-being. The goal is to not only ease one’s own pain, but to heal wounded feelings and mitigate the disappointment of others. This will allow us to find a common ground and cultivate a society of compassion and fraternity, as we withstand adversity, and persevere and develop relational sensibilities. #RandolphHarris 2 of 6
It is important to actually get to know people and expose individuals to ideas that challenge their current ways of seeing. This will develop the ability to read people and situations with greater acuity; and help them reframe how they see difficult experiences. Sometimes a walk through a dark forest (do not try this) is exactly what we need to lead us to the light and refresh and recharge. Our feelings are a joint venture—a product of our interactions and the way we frame them, given our repertories. When we question our current way of seeing things, it also frees us to work together to map and alter the pattern. Maybe, even if it is risky, taking a new path is what we need because it will allow us to see something else, something that will illuminate our vision. The Anatomy Framework will turn our attention away from labeling people and toward what they are doing, how they feel, and how they interact. This will make it easier to make new sense of old situations in which we will caught. When we tether new actions to new ways of seeing, we will integrate new behaviors more quickly, and these behaviors will feel more natural to us and less artificial to others. #RandolphHarris 3 of 6
We can be negative and look for the ugly in life and the faults and failings of those around us, or we can develop optimistic attitudes and see the beautiful in life and the good, the strong, the decent, and the virtuous in people, which brings joy and happiness. It is a matter of attitude. Many of us have an even greater interest in the creation of beautiful people—the type of radiant beauty that comes from righteous living and acceptance of God. I have observed many people who have a beauty and spiritual glow. The Lord has told us that we can be beautiful. 1 Corinthians 3.16 reports: Know you that you are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwells in you. Love yourself. It is more important to stay optimistic because beauty comes from the inside out. Peace is the beauty of life. Beauty is Sunshine. The togetherness of a family. Beauty is the advancement of humanity, the victory of a just cause, the triumph of truth. The doorway of your heart is the place where loves resides for you are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6.16). A solid foundation is the most important part of a building or of a person. We are to be the light to others, to control our anger, and reconcile bad feelings with others. #RandolphHarris 4 of 6
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. As we live with the principles of God in our hearts, we are building a rock-solid foundation upon which our lives can safely be constructed. The Lord, the great Master Architect, have given us perfect plans and specifications to guide us in the building of our lives. These are the sacred scriptures. They contain the words of the Lord and should frequently be read and considered. By seeking the Lord through prayer and through his holy scriptures, we learn to look for the beautiful and to develop great attitudes. We achieve guidance in the building of our foundations and our lives. Beauty is when you can appreciate yourself. When you love yourself and others, that is when you are the most beautiful. As we live righteous and unselfish rights, the Spirit of the Lord enters our souls and then radiates from us. We become beautiful, even as a holy temple is beautiful because we are happy with ourselves. Happiness is the greatest beauty secret. 2Nephi 4.16 reports: Behold, my soul delights in the things of the Lord, and my heart ponders continually upon the things which I have seen and heard. #RandolphHarris 5 of 6
Greed gives births to many ills—Crime and Corruption. The cancerous spread of corruption has been a matter of great concern to all people. Power is primarily being sought for amassing wealth, perks, and privileges. People’s welfare has become a thing of secondary importance on the agenda. Political ethics, values, ideology, policy issues, have been forgotten. Shockingly, the struggles for power has created divisions in government, businesses, and families. There is an iron rule in economics, it is Stein’s Law. If something cannot go on forever, it will stop. While divide-and-conquer seems like a great idea, the longer it goes on and the more people that get involved, the obvious it becomes, and it makes the corruption harder to hide. One may kill mosquitoes in a room by spraying insecticides, but many more will come inside from the breeding ground, the hole needs to be plugged. The breeding ground of corruption deserves to be cultured and the cause has to be located and removed. You cannot go on investigating corruption month after month, and year in and year out. There has got to be a point where the Government is able to say: “We have enough information.” #RandolphHarris 6 of 6
A Faint Echo of the Invitation from the Savior
Love is how we stay alive. Many of us are alive today because we felt a faint echo from God saying, “Come follow me.” The only power that exists is inside ourselves. The soul must already exist before the birth of the body because we seem to know things that were not available to us. However, it is immortality we crave. Imagine the psychological impact of being immortal. If we could be engineered by a combination of cybernetic enhancements, genetic engineering, and other scientific modification so that as humans, we would not die from aging, and it would be very hard to kill us. That would take a lot of stress off of people and we would be able to live longer to acquire money and have the freedom to really enjoy life without current limitations. Immortality has been one of humankind’s major concerns, and it has been traditionally confined to religious traditions. Many cultures believe in immortality, but many of them think that the body eventually dies and the immaterial soul (that is an incorporeal existence) has an astral body that will go on living in another realm, where we do not need money. Some believe after this life, we will enjoy all of the blessings of eternal and we have been given glimpses of what our family in Heaven will be like. #RandolphHarris 1 of 7
Nevertheless, many people love life on Earth, they love the families and friends that they have now and the places they live, they love their bodies and never want to leave Earth. However, Earth is a learning experience for us, a place for us to grow and show love to others, and it is believed that after we do depart Earth, we will be reunited with our families and friends and live in places where we love. The Son of God is our Redeemer and will deliver us from death. Heaven is the home of God, the angels, and the spirits of the righteous after death; it is the place or state of existence of the blessed after the mortal life. Isaiah 65.17 reports: Behold, I will create new Heavens and a new Earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. (That means we will have no memory of pain and suffering, but we will see our loved ones.) God has promised that in Heaven nothing—even the memory of this World’s sin and pain—will cast a shadow over the joy he has in store for us there. In this current World, even the memory of what someone did to us years ago can still cause us pain, but that will not be true in Heaven because our focus will not be on the past, but on Christ and what he means to us. God has come to fulfill the promises of the Prophets. #RandolphHarris 2 of 7
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Life can be challenging at times, and today I was at home watching a TV show from the 1960s, called Bewitched. And it aired for eight years, all the way into the 1970s. Bewitched was about a beautiful witch called Samantha (Elizabeth Montgomery) and she falls in love with a mortal guy called Darrin. It is a romantic comedy and it is pretty funny. The show was created to take the muggings in New York City off the minds of people and make them feel safe. However, after watching a few reruns of the show, I noticed that the husband Darrin was played by two different guys. The first Darrin was Dick York, but Mr. York has a secret that he did not tell the show’s producers when he was cast. He had severely injured his back doing a movie a few years before. The injury caused constant and excruciating pain. After a few years on the TV show Bewitched, everyone started to notice that Mr. York was suffering because it became routine to have scenes and plots contrived and written in which Darrin (Dick York) was sitting down, lying down, or reclining (usually sitting at his office desk at work, or in bed, or on the couch at home) as much as possible. However, because the nature of the show required physical comedy, situations would arise that would even put strain on someone in good physical condition. #RandolphHarris 3 of 7
On one occasion, Darrin (Dick York) was hanging fifteen feet in the air and the technicians were shining a light in his eyes during the setup for the shot. All the flickering made him feel weird and he started feeling weak and dizzy. Mr. York asked to be lowered from the platform he was on. When he reached the ground, his body felt weak and unstable. And the shaky actor collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. And Mr. York decided to quit the show. Then another young man named Dick Sargant was hired to replace Dick York as Darrin. Although the two guys look similar, Darrin number two was not as friendly and the ratings for the show fell significantly. And while Dick York was at home suffering and having financial problems he found out that job offers had been coming in for him, but his listing with the union was somehow messed up and no one notified him. And so, examples like Dick York are why people seek immortality in the physical World. They sometimes get injured and those injuries are so bad that it limits what they can do and they even have to quit their jobs. Revelation 21.4 reports: God will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death nor mourning nor crying nor pain. #RandolphHarris 4 of 7
Heaven will be a powerful spiritual experience. Heaven is a real place and will be filled with real people, which is why the Bible sometimes compares Heaven to a mansion with many rooms and sometimes to an enormous city teeming with people. Heaven is an eternal city. A river, clear as crystal, will flow from the throne of God down the middle of the city. On each side of the river there will be a tree of life, yielding twelve kinds of fruit every month. The streets will be pure gold, like transparent glass. The walls of the city will be adorned with every kind of jewel, emerald, onyx, amethyst, topaz, and diamonds. There will be no need for a Sun and a Moon, and no need for a temple nor church. The presence of the Lord will be it light. The Lord’s promise of eternal life is real. What happened in our past does not matter, as long as we repent and have faith and become obedient to the Lord. We are to nurture our faith, with a hungering for the word of God in the scriptures, and the obedience to the truth we have received. Feasting on the word of God, heartfelt prayer, and obedience to the Lord’s commandments must be applied evenly and continually for your testimony to grow and prosper. And we will have experience in our current lives that will profoundly touch us with gratitude, awe, and confidence in the future. #RandolphHarris 5 of 7
Humans have always benefited from obedience to true principle. We can be assured of reaching worthy objectives in life by understanding and consistently following correct principles rooted in revealed truth. The Divine Laws are the great cosmic principles that govern the functioning of the Universe; they are at the base of all Creation. They also govern the functions of conscience, and motivate human experimentations. When we know and apply these laws, we become receptive to our Creator and to our spiritual, divine dimension. We then evolve consciously and all the mysteries of the Universe can be revealed to us. We must gain learning, but we must apply it wisely. Otherwise, we have politics without principle, industry without mortality, knowledge without wisdom, science without humanity. One of the divine laws is power of obedience to law. We must obey human laws and the laws of God, as we have freedom to act and mastery of our actions. When we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated. We also have the power to love and be kind to others. Worship strengthens our power to God. We must carefully and prayerfully protect the spiritual power line that links us to the Savior, and we will become more like him. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all people. Seek after things that are virtuous, lovely, of good report, and praiseworthy. #RandolphHarris 6 of 7
Another thing we need is the love and companionship of our family and friends. This too must be earned by compliance with or obedience to certain rules of behavior. We should be kind and considerate and choose friends who love the Lord. We must be worthy of them by leading good, clean livings, and obeying the commandments of God. It is important to be thoughtful and find occupations that make us happy. It should make us happy just to know that we have the freedom to choose what we want to do to earn a living. When it comes to selecting a career, choose something that one will enjoy doing, and then do the very best one can to be honest, honorable, and upright in one’s dealings and in the services one gives. As long as we seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, know that all these other things we will be blessed with. Work diligently. Be at the right place at the right time. Maintain a degree of humbleness. Also, develop an inner driver and a competitive desire to excel rather than just get along. And foster common sense. Through obedience to these business guidelines, we will have success and happiness. We must ponder Divine Laws and reach into the very essence of what we are and what we may become. #RandolphHarris 7 of 7
She Went with Her Date to Get Some Coffee
We are all different. Each of us has been given talents as well as challenges. Some of us may have physical or mental limitations; others may be lonely or come from homes that do not teach gospel principles. Every physical and psychological problem is well worth the effort of investigation for its own sake, but for other reasons as well. Dr. Sigmund Freud would have thought Goldie Locks with a nymphomaniac because she liked to sleep in a different bed every night, but Dr. Freud thought all problems were related to the sex and childhood disorders. Much like the information on labels of paintings can affect, half unconsciously, our estimate of them, the same is possible when we label people without truly understanding or talking to them. Like the labels on paintings, the outward appearances of some people is often misleading. Some disabilities are more obvious than others. Many are immediately apparent, especially if someone relies on a wheel chair or cane. However, others—known as invisible disabilities are not. People who live with invisible injuries that are not mental, often times cannot take a pill and functional normally and they face particular challenges in the workplace and in their communities. Some people have debilitating fatigue and pain. #RandolphHarris 1 of 13
Desire disorders, like most intimacy problems, must be defined in relation to a person’s age, gender, partner, expectations, and sexual history. It is not at all unusual for a person to briefly lose sexual desire. Typically, erotic feelings return when anger towards a partner fades, or fatigue, illness, and similar temporary problems end. Some people do not merely lack sexual desire; they are repelled by sex and seek to avoid it. A person who suffers from sexual aversion feels fear, or disgust about engaging in the sex. Often, the afflicted person still has some erotic feelings. For example, he or she may still masturbate or have sexual fantasies. Nevertheless, the prospect of having the sex with another person causes panic or revulsion. Sexual desire disorders are common. Possible physical causes include afflictions, fatigue, hormonal difficulties, and side effects of medicines. Desire disorders are also associated with psychological factors such as depression, fearing loss of control over sexual urges, strict religious beliefs, fear of pregnancy, marital conflict, fear of closeness, and simple loss of attraction to one’s partner. It is also not uncommon to find that people with desire disorders were sexually mistreated as children. #RandolphHarris 2 of 13
Because Heavenly Father loves each of us, he has provided us with a source of comfort and strength—the scriptures. While growing up, I was blessed to come from a home where scriptures were an important part of our lives. I have gone to many Church activities and heard friends and family bear testimony of the power of the scripture. It gave me a desire to gain personal testimony of the power and truthfulness of the scriptures, and I am still in the process of building my faith and learning to see the blessings in my life. I know some of you say that there are bad people in the church, and there are, but imagine how bad they would be if they did not go to church. Then I have seen good people stop going to church and become the biggest sinners in the World, committing sins even against their own family for profit, while smiling in their face and acting like they do not know why an individual is going through Hell, but quick to tell that person he or she is bearing a generational curse. Some people have physical disabilities that you cannot see and they do not want to admit that, and it can be frustrating. They look normal, but there are things they should be able to do, and cannot. So, harassing them and making life hard on them can be more destructive than you even care to realize. #RandolphHarris 3 of 13
When you have physical limitations, it also limits the types of jobs you can do and for how long. Many people pray for help. Moroni 7.33: Christ reported if you will have faith in me, you shall have the power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me. What a wonderful promise. If we are to put our faith in the Lord, he will help us. Just take one day at a time and do your best. Some of us may face challenges every day, but daily scripture study will remind us to have faith in our Heavenly Father and focus on him, magnify God in our lives and not our problems and life will improve. What we tend to focus on, we magnify. I do not want to focus on my problems every day and only magnify them and make them worse. I want to focus on God and see the promises in the scriptures fulfilled in my life. No matter where you live or what kind of family you come from, Heavenly Father loves you and will be there to help and strengthen you whenever you need him. There is a power in goodness that is often learned in families. There is a void when it is lacking. We have to develop greater reverence for the sanctity of life, and realize all people are not the same. #RandolphHarris 4 of 13
We need to stand tall and be firmly fixed in perpetuating Christlike virtues. Who does not have need of assurance in times of uncertainty and testing? Who is so self-confident that there is never a want for stabilizing influence in life? A fundamental purpose of Earth’s life purpose is growth and attainment. The level of importance people place on the sex is unbelievable! How are you supposed to get to know a person if all you are thinking about is what is in between their legs or in the place where the Sun does not shine? The reality of sex is that some people have it, some people do not, and life does not revolve around avoiding it or chasing it. There is no such thing as a normal sex life, even though many people consider sex a normal part of life. And it probably does not deserve the amount of attention it gets. Most of the push for people to have the sex is pressure that we get from the outside World. However, the sex can be damaging to our culture and self-esteem. Have you noticed since the 1990s, the style of dancing has changed, people used to dance face to face, but not their face is looking at the back of someone’s head when they dance. #RandolphHarris 5 of 13
Not only that, but as homosexuals became more accepted in the community, more and more people became obsessed with butts and anal penetration. There are songs glorifying butt. Whereas, in the past, people used to talk about other features of a person like their intelligence, their pillow soft lips, their dreamy eyes, cute nose. You know, parts we can visibly see. Also, it is important to have someone who can carry a conversation and actually wants to see you. And, the butt problem is not all to blame on homosexuals because many men are just looking for more traction and that is what most obsession is about. However, companionship is the most important part of a relationship, you want to be with one person, someone you really like and can build a house with. Companionship is that state of being friends, but it goes deeper than even a friendship. It is a closeness or familiarity, a true fellowship among two people, who for whatever reasons, have truly connected. Strong couples are able to be good companions, sharing their day to day lives, personal histories, and interest together. They give verbal and physical affection like hugs, compliments, provide emotional support, and are able to help each other through tough times. It is also important to have someone to validate you. #RandolphHarris 6 of 13
Also, people who are not in relationships need to have their requirements for companionship met in other ways. It is important for them to have strong bonds with their friends and family, people who know them well, and are able to understand them. We all need to know that we have an important place in someone’s life. And, some people have different needs for amount of control in a relationship, or have specific requests to feel balanced and comfortable in. Gratefully, for people who do not have support systems, and even those who do, in his perfect love, God has provided a way for us to resolve challenges while growing in strength and capacity. The sustaining power of faith in times of uncertainty and testing is a God given way that we may find peace, joy, and purpose in life. Faith is like high energy particles that cannot be seen. When we generate more of these particles, through trust in God no matter how challenging the circumstance, that energy travels in waves. It is part of the electromagnetic spectrum called radiant energy. And when we increase of faith in God, we are picking up on more of his radiant energy, which should counteract much of the negative energy that we have been receiving. #RandolphHarris 7 of 13
Radiant energy is the energy of electromagnetic waves. It is a form of energy that can travel through space. For example, we receive the heat from the Sun, which is located 92.96 miles from Earth. As you may know, when there is a solar flare, which is basically the Sun emitting more energy, the Earth tends to get hotter, and it can disrupt communication devices on Earth. So, think of an increase of your faith in God like a solar flare, you are attracting more radiant energy from God, and those electromagnetic waves are blocking out things that may be bad for you and drawing more things to you that may be good. It will take time, but you will start noticing that people are nicer to you, they are more protective of you, they want to talk to you, and eventually they will have new and exciting opportunities from God to offer you. When you change your energy, the type of energy you attract will also change. You notice that many suburban housewives are always happy and smiling when they go out and public and how people seem to worship them? Well, that is because of the energy they are putting out. And in the suburbs people talk and word gets around, so you want to be painted in the best light and have people like you. It does not mean being fake, it just means putting out good radiant energy of electromagnetic waves. #RandolphHarris 8 of 13
I met a few couples, and they do not say much, but they are always nice and smile and say hi when I see them and that makes me feel good. That is the type of community I grew up in. A place where you treat everyone with respect, and you do not have to get deeply involved with people, but respect them, out of the love of God, so you can attract that same energy back to you. These people are well balanced and consistent, and they care about their reputations and would never do anything to hurt anyone on purpose. Therefore, trust in God and in his willingness to provide help when needed, no matter how challenging the circumstance. Obey his commandments and live to demonstrate that he can trust you. Be sensitive to the quiet prompting of the Spirit. Act courageously on that prompting. Be patient and understanding when God lets you struggle to grow and answers will come one wave at a time over an extended period. Motivating faith is centered in trust in the Lord and in his willingness to answer your needs. For the Lord does bless and prosper those who put their trust in him. The consistent, willing exercise of faith increases your confidence and ability to employ the power of faith. God loves everyone, we are all his children. 2 Nephi 2.29 reports: And choose not eternal death, according to the will of the flesh and the evil which is therein, which gives the spirit of the Devil power to captivate, to bring down to Hell, that he may reign over you in his own kingdom. #RandolphHarris 9 of 13
The most important thing to God is to save our souls for everlasting life. The consistent, willing exercise of faith increases your confidence and ability to employ the power of faith. Electrical energy, a flow of charged particles along a conductor or the flow of ins across a membrane is much like God sending energy through your body and brain to fortify your soul. Faith is energy which is hoped for and not seen; therefore, do not dispute faith because you cannot see it. You may not know how you are going to make it, you may not know where your next blessing is coming from, but do not say it is impossible that you can press on because after the trial of faith, the blessings that come your way will be so amazing that you will receive that confirming evidence of Spirit. And those feelings will fortify your faith. As you repeat that pattern, your faith will become stronger. The Lord knows your needs. When you ask honestly and with real intent, he will prompt you to do that which will increase your ability to act in faith. With consistent practice, faith will become a vibrant, powerful, uplifting, inspiring force in your life. As you walk to the boundary of your understanding, exercising faith, you will be led to find solutions you would not obtain otherwise. I testify that I know that is true. #RandolphHarris 10 of 13
Another thing is we may not always get what we want, but God will respond with what in his eternal plan is best for you. Faith is not just about instant gratification, it is an energy that will act as a conduit to get us through life, help continue to practice divine laws, and help us to go out and earn the things we want. You cannot just walk in Walmart and come out with a cart of goods and services without paying for them. You have to do something to earn that money so you can go and buy what you want. Our faith in God gives us understanding and strength. Some vital decisions many have experiences, come through sustaining through the grueling, anguish, and struggle that precedes a confirming answer. And, those experiences are edifying. It is comforting to know that God will never try you more than you can manage with his help. God uses your faith to mold your character. And there are people out there living the high life, who wished they could have held back and been isolated because some of the afflictions that are suffering with. This is not where you will always be in life. Strong moral character results from consistent correct choices in the trials and testing of life. You can use your faith to guide you. What you think and do will determine what you are and what you will become. #RandolphHarris 11 of 13
We have to have courage to make the right decisions. This is done through contemplation and prayer, and exercising faith to willingly make choices consistent with the teachings of God. Such choices are made with trust in the electronic energy of God. Worthy character will strengthen your capacity to obediently respond to the direction of the Spirit. Righteous character is what you are becoming. It is more important that what you own, where you live. Right character enables you in times of trial and testing to make difficult, extremely important decisions correctly even when they seem overpowering. Neither Satan nor any other power can weaken or destroy your growing character. Only you can do that through disobedience. So, behaving is important. The more character is fortified, the more enabled you are to exercise the power of faith that will help you successfully grow so you can complete your purpose on Earth. A mother recently expressed to me that her daughter was killed on the way home from work, but because of her daughters love and support, the mother was able to continue living. That is so important because that woman gave up her career and free time make her daughter a success. Sometimes we are not living for ourselves, but we are here to support others. The power of the Lord will bless us. #RandolphHarris 12 of 13
And I also lost someone who means the World to me, but much like that woman’s daughter, I feel in my heart and soul that our loved ones are still alive on this planet. And I truly believe that and we will see them again. That is my testimony of faith. And you may have had people pretend to be your loved one, but you could tell by their actions it was not them. We know our loved ones so well and that if they were here, and could come to us that they would. The Father in Heaven loves you no matter what your circumstance, no matter what winds of trial, turmoil, or tribulation whip you like a hurricane. God and his guidance through the Holy Spirit will sustain you in an increasingly more challenging World. However, I want you to believe that your loved one is not lost, like I know mine is not, and we will someday see them again. Keep your sustained power of faith. Help others understand how faith in God and his teachings can bless their lives. I know there has been something that you have believed in your life with a strong conviction and it has come to be, use that same faith and know whatever it is you are missing, if you have the faith, one day you will find it and know it is right. #RandolphHarris 13 of 13
A New High in Lowness–Involuntary Television Intoxication
We are all of us, more or less, subject to the delusions of vanity, or hope, or love. Each person will face the record for his or her life, and all will see the true justice and fairness of God. Then God will destroy sin and sinners forever. A man was urged by his wife to attend a social function in which he really took no interest. Yielding to his wife’s entreaties, he began to take his dress-suit from the trunk when he suddenly thought of shaving. After accomplishing this, he returned to the trunk and found it locked. Despite a long, earnest search, the key could not be found. A locksmith could not be found on Sunday evening, so that the couple had to send their regrets. On having the trunk opened the next morning, the lost key was found within. The husband had absent-mindedly dropped the key into the trunk and sprung the lock. He assured me that this was wholly unintentional and unconscious, but we knew that he did not wish to go to the social affair. This mislaying of the key therefore lacked no apparent motive. Threatening situations are often accompanied by an unpleasant emotion. A person who feels tense, uneasy, apprehensive, worried, and vulnerable might become defensive. Psychological defense mechanisms allow us to reduce stress. Many of the defenses, like misplacing the key, are operated unconsciously. #RandolphHarris 1 of 9 
Often, defense mechanisms create an area in which one’s ability to understand is weak or lacking. One of the most basic defenses is denial (protecting oneself from an unpleasant reality by refusing to accept it or believe it). Refusal on our part to sustain or follow the Lord’s anointed servants is a form of rebellion, which is open or willful resistance to and defiance of God’s authority. This is extremely serious. Rebellion is the opposite of obedience and leads to expulsion from the kingdom. This is what happened to Lucifer. He refused to sustain the Lord in that he would not follow and do the thing which he had seen the Father do before him. When we fail to do what we know we should, having the light before us, but refusing to obey, notwithstanding the covenants, we become rebels. Some even seem to delight in their rebellion. They brag about it; if they only knew that the Lord’s anger is kindled against all the rebellious, and they shall be pierced with much sorrow and they shall fail. Deliverance from sin a much greater blessing than deliverance from affliction. “Marvel that all humankind, all nations, kindreds, languages, people must be reborn again; born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God; becoming his sons and daughters,” reports Mosiah 27.25. In this Earth-life probation those who are converted will succeed. #RandolphHarris 2 of 9
The kingdom is not going to fail. It is the stone which the prophet Daniel saw was cut out of the mountain without hands, and it rolled forth down the mountain side, gaining momentum as it went. It broke down all other kingdoms; it filled the whole Earth and stood forever. Mosiah 27.14 reports, “The knowledge of the truth, therefore, for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith. And Now behold, can you dispute the power of God? For behold, does not my voice shake the Earth?” The kingdom of God is a winner. Is it great to be part of a winner? Do you not love a winner? Will you lose your keys to the mysteries of the kingdom of God? God wants to make clear and transparent to the watching Universe that no one reaps a fate they did not choose. “My soul has been redeemed from the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity. I was in the darkest abyss; but now I behold the marvelous light of God. My soul was racked with eternal torment; but I am snatched, and my soul is pained no more,” reports Mosiah 27.29. Only God is inherently immortal, yet the free gift of salvation is eternal life. We came to this Earth to win, and we will win if we stick with the Lord, because the Lord is not going to lose. He cannot lose. #RandolphHarris 3 of 9
The kingdom is a winner, and when we do it his way, we will win with him. The promise is sure, if we endure to the end, we will be saved. The Lord requires the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat of the land of Zion in these last days. As God recreates the Earth, love, joy, and harmony will at least be restored to the Universe. Fear, suffering and death will only be a memory. We will know God face to face, and be free to create and explore without end. “And now I speak unto all the ends of the Earth—that if the day comes that the power and gifts of God shall be done away among you, it shall be because of unbelief,” reports Moroni 10.24. The rebellious shall be cut off out of the land of Zion and shall be sent away, and shall not inherit the land. There is a story of enlightening that we should recall so you can see it is still not too late to repent. Blessings build upon following the teaching of righteous parents. Enos has a father who was a just man. He taught Enos in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and the words he heard his father speak concerning the eternal life, and the joy of the saint, sunk deep into his heart. The continual teachings of a just father caused Enos’ soul to hunger, and he went before the Lord in mighty prayer and supplication for his own soul. #RandolphHarris 4 of 9
Enos had also learned the value of continuing in righteousness, for he reports that he prayed all day long, and when the night came, he still raised his voice high that it reached the Heavens. His continuous and fervent humble prayer resulted in a marvelous declaration from on high. And there came a voice onto him, saying that his sins had been forgiven, and he shall be blessed. Enos had built upon the righteous teachings of his father as the base for his own search for the Lord. He had continued as he commenced. God allows us to be in uncomfortable situations where we are not getting our way, not being treated right, or things are not happening as fast as we would like, so this pressure brings light to impurities in our character. Things like egotistical pride, selfishness, being critical, or easily offended are traits we need to get rid of. God allows difficulties to help us grow. To continue means more than to endure or tolerate something. It means to maintain a steady course of action with unshaken faith in Christ. Go forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and all people. Wherefore, if you shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, God promises you shall have eternal life. #RandolphHarris 5 of 9
If you have no hope, you must be in despair; and despair comes because of iniquity. To continue in righteousness takes personal courage and strength of commitment. We must recognize that there is an opposing force to that which is right. Sometimes hardships come our way or fatigue dims our vision in decision making. It may be a selfish motive or carnal desire that needs to be overcome before we can continue. In every situation, however, the answer which leads to happiness is to press forward. When we have done all we can do in a situation, the Lord will find a way to open doors. The forces in you are greater than the forces trying to contain you. In order to become all that God has created you to be, keep expanding your faith and looking for new opportunities, new ideas, and new ways to expand your influence. You are meant for great things. God will take you to places you never dreamed of and will bring opportunities that give you amazing influence. “And Christ truly said unto our fathers: If you have faith you can do all things which are expedient unto me,” reports Moroni 10.23. The Lord will give you strength to face the challenges of the day. God will bless your continued efforts and faith and open doors of homes and hearts to the message of restoration. #RandolphHarris 6 of 9
Those who remain loyal to God will receive the kingdom. However, Satan has vowed to thwart the purposes of God and uses all sorts of devices and deceptions to mislead us. All too frequently today we read or hear about dishonesty in government, in business firms, in trade unions, and in other areas of endeavor. In every case there has been a violation of some moral code or disobedience to law. Moreover, there is little or no remorse. In addition, there are too many who have little regard for human, plant, nature, and animal life. Some criminals today even go on lecture tours or star in movies at great financial gain. This is most appalling indeed. Too many parents are leaving their responsibilities to television sets, which act as baby-sitters, and often do irreparable damage. The 1982 Florida case Zamora v. State was unusual. A fifteen-year-old boy was accused of murdering his elderly next-door neighbor in cold blood, and his attorney was pleading an insanity defense because he committed the crime while under the influence of involuntary television intoxication. Ellis Rubin attempted to argue that as a result of television intoxication, the fifteen-year-old was insane when he shot and killed his elderly neighbor after she discovered him burglarizing her house. #RandolphHarris 7 of 9
A pretrial brief stated that through the excessive and long-continued use of this intoxicant [television], a mental condition of insanity was produced. That condition was a disease of the mind, and left the young man incapable of realizing the criminality of his conduct and unable to conform to the law. However, because the expert witness, Dr. Thomas could not conclusively link any particular TV show or amount of TV violence directly to the homicide perpetrated by the defendant (or to any defendant in a homicide case), the testimony was excluded and the charge of murder was upheld on appeal. Children must learn obedience, and parents must exact obedience from them. Love your children, let them know that you love them; but remember that it is no favor to a child to let that being do things one should not do. Research indicates that youth want some direction and control in their lives and want to live up to the expectations of those who are responsible for directing their lives. The laws of God and the laws of nature and the laws of the land are made for the benefit of humans—for our comfort, enjoyment, safety, and well-being—and it is up to the individual to learn these laws and to determine whether or not one will enjoy these benefits by obeying the laws and by keeping the commandments. #RandolphHarris 8 of 9
To be happy and successful we must obey the laws and regulations pertaining to our activities. These laws will function either to our joy and well-being or to our detriment and sorrow, according to our actions. Some people are fed up with being told what to do. However, people are free to do exactly what they choose to do (as long as it does not infringe upon the rights of others), but there are certain consequences which follow all our actions, and we must be prepared to take those consequences. I know it is sometimes difficult to accept philosophy when we see prominent and seemingly successful people reach the top when we know they are not thoroughly honest nor dependable and have used devious means to gain their status and success. However, they are or will eventually be brought to justice, with their names often splashed mercilessly before a critical public; and I feel sure there will come a time when they will feel that the humiliation for them and their often innocent family was not worth their disobedience to law and order and sound moral behavior. Therefore, we must control our actions. “Let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven,” reports 3 Nephi 12.16. #RandolphHarris 9 of 9
We Should Go Forward in a Spirit of Faith and Not Be Fearful
Heavenly forces rising and descending, their golden urns reciprocally lending. Not until I rise above the Earthly to the Heavenly, not until I cease to cleave to the Spirit of the Earth can I understand humans. The soul of humans lived in an element by which the sounds of speech themselves were formed and moulded. However, a blitz of sin comes when communication lines are down—it always does, sooner or later. Deeply disturbing are the numerous signs of dwindling faith are in our World. The whip leg in spiritual conviction is frightening. Morale is often low even among employees in their jobs—Selfish “gimme” tactics. “How much can I get?” “How about a raise?” More holidays. Fewer hours. Poor morale among the employers. We are too affluent. We have too much money and other things. We have so many things. Even many poorer people have things, and “things” become our life, and our vocabulary has been invaded with, “Let me do my thing.” Yet the Lord has said, “Seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Too often, though, we want the “things” first. We have a great generation of youth, but many of them are experiencing a blind side of prayers, especially those who are in sin. Many have nearly ceased to pray. Their communication wires are bootleg. Also, the numerous young people in their early married days cease to pray with regularity; their lines of communication are on the chop block. #RandolphHarris 1 of 10
We have intellectualism—which is also a factor in the education of the human race—but out of our way of viewing the World, based as it is on the principles of measure, number and weight, another must unfold. Two young couples from the Northwest came, bowed in sorrow. The husband of one and the wife of the other had lost themselves in frustration arising out of disloyally finding comfort where no association should have been tolerated. Their problems reached the maximum, and sorrow resulted. It is generally the same. The two young people, unfaithful to their spouses, has conversed and confided too much; then secret meetings followed, then disloyal disclosures concerning the spouse of each. And finally, that which surely could not have been dreamed of—the transgression. Both couples had reduced their activity, become casual in their church-going. They had joined a social group who were also turning to spiritual casualness like themselves. Their new ways of living was beyond their means, and debts crowded out tithing. Too busy they were for homes in the evenings and too rushed for family prayer, and when it came to temptation, they were not prepared. They experienced a real slobber knocker for coveting someone else’s spouse. Recognize that some of you think of yourselves as daredevils, ready to take on almost any challenge. However, some of these excursions for excitement will inevitably take you down into the Devil’s Throat. #RandolphHarris 2 of 10
Spiritual Science must come to our assistance here, for ordinary history can tell us nothing. Our emotions are compacted. Sometimes we do not even have the words to express accurately the way we are feeling. This lack of emotional language can be very difficult. The only safe course is to stay well away from the dangers of the Devil’s Throat. If you cross to the Devil’s side of the line of scrimmage once inch, you are in the tempter’s power, and if he is successful, you will not be able to think or even reason properly, because you will have lost the spirit of the Lord. Some people are letting others set standards for them. You have a nickel defense for yourselves by saying, “Who said we should not do this or we should not do that?” There are many shades of right and wrong that each of you have to decide where the line of scrimmage will be. If there is any question in your minds or hearts about whether your personal conduct is right or wrong, do not do it. Each of us has a moral agency of pass protection, and the gift of the Holy Ghost will sharpen our impressions of what is right and wrong, true and false. It is the responsibility of the prophets of God to teach the word of God, not spell out every joy and tittle of human conduct. Naturally, within the relationships into which they are brought by the intellect, the things will behave in accordance with their nature. #RandolphHarris 3 of 10
Pure experience is the reality in which reality appears to us when we confront it to the complete exclusion of what we ourselves bring to it. What is happening at the time you come of age becomes a stamp of who you are, and you carry it forward. If we are conscientiously trying to avoid not only evil, but the very appearance of evil, we will act for ourselves and not be acted upon. Much of what comes from the Devil is alluring and enticing. It glitters and is appealing to the sensual parts of our nature. You will lose half a pound just dreaming about it. Satan’s message sounds so reasonable and easy to justify. His voice is usually smooth and intriguing. If it were harsh or discordant, nobody would listen, nobody would be enticed. Some of Satan’s most appealing messages are: Everyone does it; if it does not hurt anyone else, it is all right; if you feel there is no harm in it, it is okay; it is the “cool” thing to do. Satan is the greatest imitator, the master deceiver, the arch counterfeiter, and the greatest forger ever in the history of the World. He comes into our lives as a thief in the night and crackback blocks our blessings. His disguise is so perfect that it is hard to recognize him or his methods. He seems to be a good person, but is really bad. Such a phenomenon, now, in which the character of the process follows directly and in a transparently clear way out of the nature of the pertinent factors, called an archetypal phenomenon. #RandolphHarris 4 of 10
When we trace any one of the major streams of present-day spiritual life back to its sources, we always encounter one of the spirits of our classical spirit. There have always been two great competing forces in the World. These began before the World was created. These opposing forces are the forces between good and evil. Between these two powerful forces each of us is caught in a scrimmage. In simple terms, that which is good comes from God, and that which is evil comes from the Devil. You cannot coffin corner or have it both ways and find true happiness; some have tried, but in the long run all have failed. If any of you people think you can have it both ways, you are only deceiving yourselves. It does not work that way. It never has. There is another great truth that you must learn. It is that everything has a price. There is a price to pay for success, fulfillment, accomplishment, and joy. Opportunity costs, nothing is free. There is loss of potential gain from other alternatives when one alternative is chosen. If you so not pay the price that is needed for success, you will pay the price for failure. Preparation, work, study, and service are required to achieve happiness. Disobedience and lack of preparation carry a terrible price tag. Everyone is conscious of the fact that our thinking is kindled in conflict with reality. The objects in space and in time approach us; we perceive a highly diversified outer World of manifold parts, and we experience a more or less richly developed inner World. #RandolphHarris 5 of 10
As believers in God, part of the price we need to pay is by living differently from the World. God is pure reason. Jesus Christ himself brought elements of optimism into the rational morality that it was his prime aim to teach. Jesus demands attention for his teachings, not because they are adapted to the moral needs of our spirit, but because they are God’s will. The followers of Jesus Christ, from a natural interest in the details of his life, developed these beneficial elements into Christianity. They appealed to miracles as proofs of Jesus’s divinity and virtue, and instead of revering him for his teaching about virtue, they revered his teaching about virtue because of the miracles he was supposed to have performed. However, wicked emperors chased the human spirit from the Earth and spread a misery, which compelled people to see and expect happiness in Heaven; robbed of freedom, their spirit, their eternal and absolute element, was force to take flight to the deity. The doctrine of God’s objectivity is a counterpart to the corruption and slavery of human beings. No thing or event can claim to play a greater role in the functioning of the World than experience of God. If it is to become clear to us that this or that fact has greater significance than others, we must then not merely observe God, but we must already bring God into our thought-relationship. #RandolphHarris 6 of 10
Jesus makes a general demand on his hearers to surrender their rights, to lift themselves above the whole sphere of justice or injustice by love, for in love there vanish not only rights, but also the feeling of inequality and the hatred of enemies which this feeling’s imperative demand for equality implies. Matthew 5.44 tells us to, “Love our enemies, and pray fr those who persecute us.” Jesus is a beautiful soul. Jesus retained his dignity by refusing to defend himself or to uphold his rights. The possible consequences for the individual and for other people of resistance to evil, on the one hand, and of withdrawal from conflict, on the other. If one were obliged to look back to an age when human beings were quite differently constituted in their life of soul, it would be impossible to understand them. Humans can have a living experience of the plant World around them when the word is as full of life as it was among the ancient Greeks. We are the possessors and custodians of these commanding powers which can and do roll back the power of Satan on the Earth. With all my heart, I urge you to please help us push back the World. We must stand against the wind. Sometimes we must be unpopular, and simply say, “This is not right.” All of us want to find out who we really are and what our place is in the World. #RandolphHarris 7 of 10
Easily influenced individuals are trying to find their identity by being different from their parents and families in what they stand for. God made each of us to be different from anyone else in the World, as our DNA and fingerprints prove. You do not have to work at having a separate identity; you already have one. Some people want to rebel against restraints. Several even think it is not cool to obedient to their parents, the law, or follow the counsel of your bishop or quorum president. Many may have been deceived by thinking that they can find excitement by dabbling in drugs, alcohol, pornography, and the illicit sex. Be warned that such enticements as these are slippery and dangerous like the rocks by the Devil’s Throat, and they will only lead you into a tackle box of Satan’s territory. The way out of that kind of danger is difficult and will leave you with far more than a slobber knocker, scrapes and scratches. We are working out our eternal destiny at an interesting time. In the future, there will continue to be an increase in scientific discoveries and inventions which will make life more comfortable and easier for many. No doubt medical science will continue to find new treatments and cures not available now. In contrast, the Worldly influences of evil will likely increase, and more people will become vulnerable to the deceit and enticement of Satan’s trap play. #RandolphHarris 8 of 10
We need to become stronger spiritually and morally in order to withstand the temptations and snares of the World. Perhaps this is why such special spirits have been reserved for this time with the Statue of Liberty Play. In the future, the opposition from Satan will be both more subtle and more open. While in some ways it may be more blatant, it will be masked with greater sophistication and cunning. We will need greater spirituality to perceive all the forms of evil and greater strength to resist it. Many countries now face the dangerous of attacks from foreign enemies. War exposes people to bodily harm, but there is also exposure to moral harm. Those of us who have served in the military in the wartime have experienced the disruption in life that comes from being uprooted from the home and family, wholesome associations, and the influence of the organized Church. Disruptions can take us into a dive play for the vary jaws of the Devil’s Throat. Many of the activities we will be engaged in are group situations where we cannot always choose our own company. However, we can always choose our standards. In any association, there needs to be one or more who stand up and say, “What we are doing is not right.” It takes moral courage to do this. We all know it takes courage to face fears. #RandolphHarris 9 of 10
Whatsoever is good comes from God, and whatsoever is evil comes from the Devil. We are living in a challenging time, and it is a time for us to stand firm and steady in meeting our family and Church responsibilities so we do not experience offsetting penalties. We should not be blown like a wave in a White Squall. Children of God should go forward in a spirit of faith and not be fearful of anything expect being too close to the Devil’s throat. We will be strengthened and preserved if we follow God. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the Heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. So, do fear, for God is with us. Do not be dismayed, for God is our God. God will strengthen us and help us, he will uphold us with his righteous right hand. Recognize that God’s ways our better than our ways. Resist the desire to take matters into your own hands and instead trust God for questions or problems that we may face. I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is clear that obedience to God’s Word is paramount to experiencing the Blessings. I pray the Lord’s blessing to be with us all, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. #RandolphHarris 10 of 10
I Love Friendly Deeds Better than Fair Words
Friendship begins at home. Money can only give happiness where there is nothing else to give. True faith rests upon the character of God and asks no further proof than the moral perfections of the One who cannot lite. It is enough that God has said it. We must rise above the plateaus we have been on. Understand that mortal life is purposefully designed to place us in circumstances where we can be individually tested and where, by the exercise of the agency God has given us, we can determine what our future possibilities will be. Humans have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon. On one occasion, the Lord explained that it was his desire that every person may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency given unto him or her, and that every person be made accountable. When we understand what is right and what is wrong, we are in a position to exercise our freedom in making choices. We must stand accountable for our decisions, and we cannot escape the inevitable consequences of these choices. Such freedom to exercise moral agency is essential in an environment where people have the highest prospects for progress and development. #RandolphHarris 1 of 9
The darkest and most contemptible ignorance is that of not knowing oneself. Self-consciousness comes into being out of the unconscious. Ideas that define the “what” of the World; Will determines its “that.” The opposition of Will to the ordering of the Ideas brings about the emergence of consciousness and individuals. Individuation results from the conflict of purposes into which the universal Will is driven through its resistance to its logical counterpart, the Ideas. Consciousness is required to emancipate the Ideas from bondage of the Will and its torments. Since space and time are the sole principium individuationis known to us, the result is a phenomenal but real evolutionary process of nature involving the greatest possible emergence of purposes. Consciousness, when it attains its maturity, will suffice to hurl back the total actual volition into nothingness, by which the process and the World ceases without any residuum whatever. The undifferentiated, substantial Will might continue to proliferate other orders of consciousness after this destruction. By our very endowment as children of an Eternal Father, we have had implanted within our souls the urgency to be free. #RandolphHarris 2 of 9
Instincts are unconsciously purposive, for example, and unconscious ideation in the nerve endings must be assumed to explain the slightest voluntary bodily movements. It is natural for us to want to be accountable for our own fates, because there is a whispering within us confirming that this accountability is absolutely essential to the attainment of our eternal destiny. The infinite purposiveness of the particulars in it makes it the best of possible Worlds. There is a remarkable combination of neurological and psychological considerations with commonsense considerations about the misery in the World. The existence of laws, regulations, and procedures has never been sufficient to compel people to obedience. Productive obedience comes through the exercise of free will. The first stage of happiness has already actually been attained in the present state of the World; the second is that happiness can be attained in transcendent life after death; and the third is that happiness will be attained in a future state of this World. The goal of the absolute religion of the future must be to save God, as Will, from the agony involved in his own inevitable creativity. #RandolphHarris 3 of 9
The essence of vital Christianity lies in its pessimism about the present World, and liberal Protestantism is the last dying phase of Christian ethics because, by adhering to faith in social progress, it has lapsed into the first stage of optimism. Because supernatural beliefs are at odds with a scientific understanding of the World, tension may arise between religious individual who believe that a belief in God, which is a supernatural force, serves psychological functions. Many people who enslaved the Africans were surprised to find that they were not suicidal nor depressed because they had faith in God. In fact, in ancient text it was recorded that the only time the enslaved people were depressed is when they were first kidnapped from their homes and subjected to relentless physical and mental abuse, but then their faith in God increases and they matured and developed a sense of security and stability. Many people who do not believe in God would like you to think that they own you and that their money is your master, they do not want you to have faith in God because it shakes their foundations to realize that there is someone more powerful than they are and they are not in control. #RandolphHarris 4 of 9
Also, people who view themselves as highly desirable and celebrated individuals do not often cope will with the fact that people move on. Some parents raise their children to understand that celebrities and politicians are just people. In fact, some may argue that a religious belief in a supernatural force is antiquated and inferior to a more scientific, technological Worldview. They may even consider our devotion to that ancient religion sad because it has not helped us conjure up stolen data tapes or given us the clairvoyance enough to physically escape. They even brag that the computer skills, money and technology make their superior to God. However, the testimony in the scriptures conveys that prior to the creation of this Earth, fully thirty three percent of all the hosts who contemplated the challenges of mortal life allowed themselves to be deluded into thinking that there were acceptable alternatives to the essential risks that accompany the exercise of agency and free will. The price they paid is beyond comprehension. Today, we are being encouraged to accept greater responsibility for the allocation of our times, for our spiritual development through personal and family study of the gospel, and for giving loving Christian service. Chemistry is an explanation of the supernatural. For instance, why do balloons float. Well, gaseous hydrogen and helium are lighter than air, and when contained in a small space, like a latex balloon, it makes it float. To many that seems like magic. Also, because helium is much less dense than regular is, it can affect the sound quality of your voice (its tone or timbre) by allowing sound to travel faster and thus change the resonances of your vocal tract by making it more responsive to high-frequency sounds. So, as you see technology and science are finding ways to explain things that at one time seemed supernatural. #RandolphHarris 5 of 9
We must be willing to respond to this new challenge, our willingness to accept this add accountability will exert an influence that will reach far beyond our worship service, strict moral code, and religious life rooted in God. It is amazing that people who force the public to loan them $300 million dollars to build a gentrification center do not see the fact that they are the biggest welfare recipients in the community. Unless we retain a vibrant desire to be free, and unless we understand and practice the principles that give life to essential freedoms, we have little reason to hope they will endure. If we allow ourselves to accept dependency and regulation and to cease valuing independence and self-accountability, then we are vulnerable to the forces that destroy freedom. If righteousness is judged primarily by the degree to which one responds to programmed activity, then a condition develops within which opportunities for progress decline. The resulting tragedy affects the mortal potential of human beings and has a profound effect on our eternal possibilities as well. When people are exposed to religious themes or call to mind their religious beliefs, they are better able to endure discomfort, delay gratification, and follow through on challenging tasks. #RandolphHarris 6 of 9
God loves with a great love the people whose heart is bursting with a passion for the impossible. All our difficulties are only platforms for the manifestations of God’s grace, power, and love. Self-control is at the core of Christian lifestyle. Psychologist have proposed that religious-inspired practices can benefit mental and physical health by helping people exercise willpower. Studies have revealed that self-control promotes adaptive psychological functioning because it helps people regulate their emotions and behavior. Religious doctrines include prescriptions for taking care of one’s own body (your body is the temple of God), and support psychological traits that are associated with self-control, such as humility, patience, mindfulness, and compassion. In addition, religious doctrines offer behavioral techniques, including prayer, which helps people regulate their emotions and actions. Programed behavior cannot produce the level of spiritual development required to qualify one for eternal life. A necessary range of freedom and self-determination is essential to one’s spiritual development. While we rely on technological advancements and medical interventions, we believe that there are metaphysical forces beyond science at work in the World. #RandolphHarris 7 of 9
If you are to become all God created you to be, you cannot let a hurt, a loss, a bad break, or disappointment cause you to sit inactively and not be involved in something advantageous. With an understanding of correct principles and an intrinsic desire to apply them, one must be motivated within oneself to do many good things of his or her own free will. The revelation says, the power is in the person who is an agent unto oneself. In preserving our freedom for self-determination, we cannot ignore the need for carefully ordered structure and procedure within government or any other organization. A careful balance must be maintained between that which is ordered for the well-being of the group and that which is reserved for the conscience and the incentive of the individual. This necessary balance of freedom and restraint is essential to right relationships within families and communities, and it cannot be ignored in our assignments within the Church. Our individual spiritual growth is the key to major numerical growth in the Kingdom of God. We must also exercise the necessary degree of freedom and self-accountability. Anything less will guarantee stunted spiritual growth. #RandolphHarris 8 of 9
Our friendships and intimacies are only calculated for strong life and health. To scrutinize and ascertain our own principles is abundantly difficult. To exhibit those principles to the World with absolute sincerity can scarcely be expected. However, our obedience to God preserves for us the elements of individual life which makes individual progress possible. What then are we to do about our problems? We must learn to live with them until such time as God delivers us from them. We must pray for grace to endure will without murmuring. Problems patiently endured will work for our spiritual perfecting. They harm us only when we resist them or endure them unwillingly. Faith in God makes life purposeful and full of promise and will lead us to eternal progress. Humanity cannot fulfill its destiny when these truths are disregarded and abused. I cherish them with all my soul and am unreservedly committed to their promulgation among all the peoples of the Earth. There is no happiness like that of being loved by your fellow-creatures, and that feeling your presence is an addition to their comfort. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. #RandolphHarris 9 of 9
Randolph Harris II International Institute 