Message from the Directors
Janurary 2010
Arise From the Dust and Be Men
By Tyler Moore
There I was, in a dark cabin in southern California, with my flashlight and my Book of Mormon. It was a time I will always remember. Many things had changed in my life already, and my vision and outlook from that point only continued to change for the better. I had read the Book of Mormon before. But now as I read, I marveled at the hope-filled words it offered. Particularly powerful were the words of Lehi to his rebellious sons: "[A]rise from the dust, my sons, and be men, and be determined in one mind and in one heart, united in all things, that ye may not come down into captivity" (2 Nephi 1:21).
Never before had I really paid attention to this verse. It was not highlighted, nor did it carry the tell-tale sign of red pencil, denoting some seminary principle. I was so excited about this scripture; I actually bothered a friend on the bunk next to me to share my new found discovery. This was not only a plea, and not only an invitation, but this was a marching order. It was a formula, a formula that I knew could bring me resolution and peace.
The trouble for me was the first half of the equation. I could understand being united and being determined. But I was quite unsure how to go about arising from the dust, and being a man. What did Lehi mean in his counsel to "be men?" Popular culture tells all of us on a daily basis what it is to be a man. Professional athletes, crass entertainers, and the media blitz portray, in my mind, a very weak and shallow picture of what it is to "be men."
Then I think of some of the men in the scriptures, and through Church history. I think of Alma the Younger—a man who went about destroying, and persecuting, who ultimately changed his ways, confessed his wrongs, and then did all in his power to spread the good news of Christ. I think of Ammon—a man who left his home for the unknown. For him, the unknown included incredible service, and of course battling those who would steal the king's sheep. I think of Joseph Smith: as we studied the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith in priesthood last year, I could consistently see what true masculinity was. Of course, the list of true "men" in the Book of Mormon and Church history is far longer than the few I have. From Lehi to Moroni, and from Hyrum Smith to President Monson, models are available to us.
These men share several things in common, but the most notable is their willingness to surrender to a Higher Power and their dedication to a Higher Cause. President Ezra Taft Benson said, "Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that he can make a lot more out of their lives then they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace" (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, 36). What an amazing list of promises! Can anything the media offers in the form of masculinity even approach these promised gifts? The world and the adversary can only offer counterfeits, which will always ultimately fail its possessor.
Moroni is a great example of true masculinity: his heart swelled with thanksgiving to his God; he labored exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people; and his faith was firm in Christ. Indeed, "if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men" (Alma 48:17).
I often try to ask myself, do I have a thankful heart? Do I engage in service for the welfare and safety of my family and my community? Is my faith steadfast in Christ? When I am able to answer all of the questions in the affirmative, I begin to feel the true power that is inherent to true masculinity. These three things naturally intertwine with surrendering our lives to a higher power, and serving a higher purpose, which helps me "arise from the dust." When combining that strength, with others who are facing the same direction, I find even more strength for my resolve, and my desire to serve the best model of true masculinity, Jesus Christ.
It isn't always easy, to arise from the dust, especially when the Devil is always kicking up more. Additionally, it isn't always easy to see the true templates and examples of true masculinity or femininity. The world trumps its stereotypes and exaggerated distortions of what these things mean so loudly, the challenge seems to be ever increasing. At the end of the day, as we study our scriptures, and the lives of honorable men and women, the façades to which the world bows becomes thin and brittle, allowing us to see their fleeting nature. As we look for models to follow, we will be led to incredible strength and appreciation for who we are. May we all strive to arise from the dust, and be men and women, determined and united in heart.