The Best Within Us

I’m writing this post from the JFSB. I have about 15 minutes to do so, as I would like to finish my Chemistry homework and maybe grab some lunch before 1. I think my motivation for writing about this subject is to clarify what I consider to be one of the core aspects of the gospel as well as applied philosophy. There have been many men of many beliefs in this world who have been successful and gone down as great thinkers, philanthropists, and members of the human family. Their names are emblazoned on plaques of bronze, their faces are hewn out of marble, and and they shall never be forgotten by man or God because of their works. The names of these elite span from Shakespeare to Newton, Einstein, Socrates, Presidents of the Church, Marie Curie, and many many others. I see a few commonalities between these individuals. Although their disciplines varied from the literative arts to applied biochemistry, they all behaved in similar ways.

First, they believed in something. They believed in a theory, or in inspiring man through sonnet and song, or that disease could be cured through careful study and practice. This belief in a brighter, truer universe was the kindling for the flames they would ignite. Without the belief of the future or of themselves, no further progression would be possible. I suppose this is why Gordon B. Hinckley was such a critic of pessimism cynicism, for true pessimists would never believe in the possibilities of man, choosing to dwell upon the frailties and failings of him and leaving man as little more than offspring of pond-scum. Please note that I mention cynicism (a belief that man is motivated purely by self-interest instaed of honorable or unselfish reasons), for man cannot actuate himself without contributing to the well-being of his fellowmen. Had Shakespeare burned his complete works or never performed a single couplet, he would have been forgotten to history. Had Einstein filled his mind and notebook but never spoken of it, he too would have never been remembered by mankind and his contributions to science would have been left to another man in the future. Thus, the cynic as well as the pessimist have no place in a world that is to progress to greater and higher aspirations.

The second common trait is that they were all human. This is crucial, and I’ll tell you why. The difference between man and beast is that man varies with great significance in his capacities, interests, and drives. One man may be motivated to achieve a scientific accolade. Another may simply find joy in writing poetry or creating art. Even another may simply find self-actualization in thinking about the complexities of logic found in the universe and then recording his musings in a journal. Each of these instances is what turns the human creature into a man. Many people live their lives without discovering that they harbor the capacity to achieve greatness in their own way. Anyone, regardless of talent, preternatural skill, or practice, has within them the capability to change the world. Mankind has been entertained by stories of heroes and heroines since the beginning of time, men who were not particularly great  in the eyes of their fellows but discovered and utilized the greatness inherent within them. It is this discovery coupled with action that serves as not only the fuel but the eternal flame that burns within the human spirit. With discovery men find that the fuel of the spirit is within themselves. With action men use that fuel to warm and brighten the world around them, impressing their mark upon the forthcoming generations. The analogy of fuel and flame is very apropos in this context. If a man were to heat his home in any season, he must acquire a stock of fuel. In days past this was accomplished by chopping wood and preparing it in piles. Today, we pay the utility bill with currency and gas is piped into our homes. Both are comparable, for both require work and effort (even if by proxy of currency). Regardless of the medium, would it make sense for man to prepare a wealth of fuel and never use it? To make his gas payment but not turn on the stove? Or, even worse, to not make his payment but expect the fuel to be available? This latter example is akin to not striving to discover the best within oneself or to know it is there but choose deliberately to not harvest it for your own benefit.

In each of these instances, it is apparent that for us to truly make the most of what has been granted us by our Heavenly Father, we must seek within ourselves for that which we consider The Best Within Us. Although I doubt that any man can truly know the scope and depth of his character, he can still plumb the depths of his divinely crafted soul and then maximize that which he finds. If a man had a field prepared and ready for, even anticipating, the planting of crops, and he chose to only use a portion of that field, leaving the rest to waste, is that a sin? In the minds of the aforementioned elite, it is. It is a sin of omission. In the words of The Master (See Matthew 25:14-30)

And unto one he ^agave five ^btalents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability;

Then he that had received the five talents…made them five other talents

And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.

And so he that had received five talents…His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful ^aservant: thou hast been ^bfaithful over a few things, I will make thee ^cruler over many things: enter thou into the ^djoy of thy lord.

He also that had received two talents…His lord said unto him, Well done, good and ^afaithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Then he which had received the one talent came…His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and ^aslothful servant

It is apparent that such is a Sin of Omission, bordering on a Sin of Comission when you refuse to maximize what is given you.

Enough for today. I have a few sections of chemistry to get to. Happy Monday!