Peaceful Officer

In the world today, we are constantly bombarded with hate.  Political, Religious, Gender, Ethnic, and every other possible variation.  We are constantly told how meaningless we are as people, as workers, and as devout churchgoers.  Every media page (no matter what side they sway with) seems to lead their banter with how much worse the other side is doing things.  And we all know it is wrong.  Yet Satan is extremely successful in getting us into the mix.  Maybe it starts as a good backing of something like our apostles and prophets have encouraged us to support.  Then we get a backlash.  Then we defend righteously.  Then the personal attacks.  Then we are in a full on debate, in the wrong way.  Boom.  We are now just as bad as the ones we were trying not to be like.

Remember this one?

So how do we deal with this?  Let's face it: we have the type of job that begs to be ridiculed.  We are part of a religion that also seems to do the same.  Add to that a protective warrior mentality, and it seems the odds are stacked against us.  But we are also the kind of people who thrive in adversity.  Look at the many prophets and church leaders in the scriptures.  Look at the pioneers (both the 1800's and currently in other countries).  Look especially to the Savior.

Have you read some of the leading/set-up questions those who sought to belittle the Lord?  Sound familiar?  How about the treatment they gave the Savior even though he took upon their sins?  The Lord taught and served with righteousness even when it was unpopular.  He did not stoop to their level.  He taught with meekness and understanding but also firmness and unapologetic.  And here is the key to why He could: He was 100% in the right.

Let that sink in.  On any of the recent arguments you have been dragged into, can you say with 100% surety that you were right?  Perhaps this is why the bearing of testimony is more powerful than anything else.  I am 100% sure that the Savior died for our sins and leads us toward Eternal Life with our Father in Heaven.  I am 100% sure that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith through proper authority from God.  I KNOW with 100% surety that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ.  So if it is any of those questions, I can literally testify of the previously mentioned.  And you can too.

The rest of the topics in this world are definitely worth noting, but not arguing.  Be involved but not the problem.  Publish peace.  Testify of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  And if you get stuck or frustrated, step back and excuse yourself, say a prayer, search for answers in the doctrine, and ponder whether or not to re-enter the ring for that topic.  Sometimes it is worth moving on.

I know the Gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone, including LEOs.  Through it we can heal all the ails of the world.  It won't happen in a day, but the more we are Peace Officers on and off duty, the faster you hasten the work of the Lord.

Godspeed LEOs.

-LDS Sheepdog

Fathers

Well today is Father's Day and I'm sure those who are or have fathers, this is the shower-with-gifts-and-love day.  My post today is a reflection post on what fathers are and should always be. (I will make sure I do Mother's Day next year... please hold me accountable for that!)

I know and am in close contact with my own father.  He shares many great qualities with probably many of your fathers or father-figures.  For those of you who know the attributes of a scout, he is all of those.  For those of you who don't, he has the greater portion of Christlike attributes.  While I could also say what he lacks, I'm not going to post that as it is the mote in my eye if I do.

Blah blah, my dad, LDS Sheepdog.  What is the point?

Ok, sorry I just really love my dad.  And we all should love the man we call "Dad."  The are a mortal man trying to emulate an immortal, perfect father.  The world would have them appear as a bumbling, unintelligent digbat only fueled by passion and fear of getting caught.  I know this by the ever shrinking number of appropriate Father's Day cards and the garbage shows I see on TV.  But those fathers are not actual fathers.  They are all the world's idea of a marital placeholder or parental obligate.  We in this church know they are the Presider, Provider, and Protector of our homes.  We know they hold sacred keys to our lives.  They are very intelligent and close to the spirit.  I was reminded of this in today's message from a 12 year old.

This young man said he knows his mother and his biological father are no longer together.  He knows it is difficult to talk about because he has a step-dad now who has to somehow fill a role that his biological father is not able to.  One thing he said that really struck me and made me ponder my own relationship with my father was this: He said his step father works really had to be a spiritual leader and a provider.  His work is often in the heat and difficult.  So when his step-dad is short with him or not as "fun," sometimes he has to stop and think about what his step-dad has been through before he decides to judge his step-dad as less than the father he is.

Isn't this really what we all should be striving for?  Understanding a father who is doing all he can to make our lives into the best possible.  Our Father in Heaven may be perfect, but he is bestowing the sacred duty of his authority in a mortal man.  Mistakes happen.  Sometimes we have to rely on other figures.  But the role of fathers remains.  Some of us will be fathers in this life.  Some of us may be a father-figure for someone.  All of us need to uphold and encourage the sacred role of fathers.  Want to see the fastest way to make our work turn more into PR and less into military?  Encourage and support families.  Become the father figure (or encourage someone to be one).

Happy Father's Day to all you imperfect people out there!  Courage LEOs!

Godspeed LEOs.

-LDS Sheepdog

Working on the Sabbath (part 2)

Note: This is part 2 of an interactive posting.  Please add your input so this can continue to uplift others through your experiences.

I was reminded of a scripture the other day while at work:

"Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees." (D&C 81:5)

This was encouraging to me.  This is the plan the Lord has for us.  We are here to serve.

Jesus Christ spent his time in service.  He served on the weekday, and the weekends.  He dropped his wants for others.  He sacrificed himself for all of us.  To those who truly loved him, he was (and is) a hero.  To others (including the public), he was a terrible person who could not be trusted.

If there is one lesson from Christ's ministry for those who have to work it is his healing on the Sabbath.  I have heard people misuse this to justify behavior.  Good for them.  But this story is much more meaningful to all of those who must work on the Sabbath.

Often we are criticized by others (including some in our religious circle) for working on this day.  But let's take a look at what we are doing vs. what the Lord would have us do:

-Healed the sick
-Counseled
-Taught
-Stood for righteousness
-Served

Now us:

-Respond to emergencies
-Teach and enforce law
-Stand for the weak
-Console and counsel victims and suspects
-Serve

Yes I am sure one could sway this to any work done on the Sabbath but I feel this comparison is important.  If you must work on this day, do it the way the Lord would.  Make today a special day by treating it special.  Do good to them that hurt you.  Practice your Christ-like attributes more.  Do good and have courage to follow spiritual promptings

As was previously stated, "...succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees."  They need you.  Fight evil with your goodness.  Conquer the foe who prey on the Lord's sheep.  This is the office the Lord has appointed you.  Stand strong.

Godspeed LEOs.

-LDS Sheepdog

PS Today a tragic event occurred that makes our blood want to boil.  Instead, take today to love your family.  Take a new pledge to protect and serve better.  We are there to stand as the warriors of old for righteousness and love of all man.  If there was ever a more pertinent point to the need for good men and women like yourselves, this is it.  Please read the statement here from the Church Newsroom and prepare your household in the Lord.

Warrior Challenge

How many of you are starting to feel like we are being squeezed even harder by the world?  I know seeing the horrific events of officers in the news and the bad mouthing coming from some of the public has really made me feel pretty well crushed recently.  It is hard trying to do what is right when we are undermined for our duty.  So LEOs, this post is for you.

This last week was Memorial Day.  I felt somber reading the stories of these warriors.  They gave the ultimate sacrifice on this earth for us. I know that despite all the "new" findings random people find, they did good.  They were good men and women who fought for the liberty of all.

LEOs, you are doing good.  Whatever issues you are facing, face them with the Lord.  Off track?  Fight to get back.  Missing the spirit?  Dig deep into the gospel.  It is too simple not to go for it.  But let me again reiterate: YOU ARE DOING GOOD!

The Lord has chosen all of us on this earth to serve a wise purpose and come back to Him.  You have a special talent that makes you different from more than just the public, but to even your coworkers.  You fight alongside many of the the other great warriors like Mormon, Moroni, Moses, and probably many other "M" named gospel-followers.  You work to find balance in work, home, AND church.  You seek for the good things of the earth even when the most evil on the earth almost literally is in front of you.  You understand the comfort the spirit holds in the the darkness.  You are the publisher of peace.  You are the Lord's tools.  You matter.

Still not feeling it?  Here is your challenge.  Before your next shift, go through your gospel library app (c'mon, we all know you use that way more), and find a righteous warrior.  Your choice from time and location.  I love Old Testament but I do enjoy some Book of Mormon ones.  Read what they did.  read how they overcame challenges.  Then get on your knees and ask the Lord for a better understanding of how this applies to you.  I promise you will find some bit of closure from the issue you are facing.  Will you take the challenge?

We are needed in this world no matter who wants to regulate or harm us.  We protect the Lord's sheep.  We pull them from the terrors of the world back into the fold.  Take courage and the challenge.

Godspeed LEOs.

-LDS Sheepdog