Here is PART 2 of my Workshop at Girls Camp,
Next I went over respect for your parents. I told two stories from the life of Jesus. One from when he was 12 and his family went to Jerusalem for Passover. 1
Joseph and Mary were already on their way back home, when they discovered that Jesus was missing. After 3 days searching, they finally found him in the Temple with the wise and learned men, “hearing them, and asking them questions”. 2
Mary went to him and asked “son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.” Then Jesus answered, “how is it that thou sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” What followed is very telling, it says that “he was subject to them”. He accepted the discipline and whatever reprimand or punishment that was given to him. In Hebrews 5:8 it says, “though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience…”. This was the Son of God, the Creator of the world! He had the right to be doing what ever he felt He should be doing! But He was also the Jehovah of the Old Testament, the very One who had given the Commandments to Moses, including, “thou shalt honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land”.
What was true 2,000 years ago is even more true today, you don’t go anywhere without telling your parents where you are going, and what time you will be back. Mothers are the official designated worriers of the world. It’s in their job description. So if they always know where you are and what you are doing, they don’t worry as much! Plus you have someone to answer to, instead of just running wild in the wind. I asked them, ”why does Heavenly Father (or your earthly parents) give us commandments (or rules)”? “Is He trying to confine you or “cramp your style”? Or keep you in prison, not allowing you to have your freedom, or keep you from having fun?” One girl finally gave the right answer, “He wants us to be happy”. “That’s right” I said. He wants you to be happy. The choices we make [to live the Commandments, including “honor thy father and thy mother”, or not follow them], and the friends we keep [that will encourage us to live the commandments, not tempt us to break them], will help us to be happy, or cause us indescribable pain and sorrow. How much freedom do you really have, if you wake up in the morning craving a cigarette, and not being able to think of anything else because your addiction to nicotine. Does it put a cramp in your lifestyle to wake up with a splitting headache and “hangover”, because you got drunk the night before. If it feels like you are in prison now with all the restrictions your parents put on you, just wait ‘til you land in real prison or the county jail and are charged with vehicular manslaughter, because you killed someone while driving under the influence of smoking pot. How much fun is it, to walk out of the doctor’s office knowing that you are pregnant & have AIDS! You may say, “well I would never do any of those things”. But once you start down that slippery slope of breaking the “little commandments”, it does not take long (especially under peer pressure) to end up breaking “The Big Ones”! Once you sneak out at night to be with “friends”, or lie to your parents about which movie that you are actually going to see when they drop you off at the theater (the “R” rated one instead of Walt Disney), or texting under your covers late into the night when your phone curfew is 9:00 PM… It is amazing how quickly it goes to secret boyfriends, breaking the Word of Wisdom and the Law of Chastity.
Your parents love you, more than you can ever know, until you have to walk in their shoes, and see through their eyes. Someday when you are a mother yourself, you will understand all this stuff that I am telling you. Until then, have faith that I am giving it to you straight, and follow the counsel of your parents & Church Leaders, especially the Prophet, and your Bishop. Their headlights shine down the dark road a lot farther than does your vision. They can see things that you cannot, and keep you from danger that you would have never expected, if you will honor them, and obey them to the letter. In some cases, if you do not follow their counsel, it will mean the difference between life, health, a loving family & good friends, or not living long enough and having the good health to actually become a mother someday. But in all cases, your obedience will mean the difference between true and lasting happiness, or great sorrow.
The next story was the first recorded miracle performed by Jesus. He was at a wedding feast in Cana. Some speculate that it may have been his own wedding, or at the very least a close family member (perhaps one of his siblings), because His mother Mary, appears to be the one in charge. She approaches Jesus and announces, “they have no wine”. Jesus knew what she was implying, and questioned her, “woman what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come”. 3
Your parents love you, more than you can ever know, until you have to walk in their shoes, and see through their eyes. Someday when you are a mother yourself, you will understand all this stuff that I am telling you. Until then, have faith that I am giving it to you straight, and follow the counsel of your parents & Church Leaders, especially the Prophet, and your Bishop. Their headlights shine down the dark road a lot farther than does your vision. They can see things that you cannot, and keep you from danger that you would have never expected, if you will honor them, and obey them to the letter. In some cases, if you do not follow their counsel, it will mean the difference between life, health, a loving family & good friends, or not living long enough and having the good health to actually become a mother someday. But in all cases, your obedience will mean the difference between true and lasting happiness, or great sorrow.
The next story was the first recorded miracle performed by Jesus. He was at a wedding feast in Cana. Some speculate that it may have been his own wedding, or at the very least a close family member (perhaps one of his siblings), because His mother Mary, appears to be the one in charge. She approaches Jesus and announces, “they have no wine”. Jesus knew what she was implying, and questioned her, “woman what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come”. 3
He had not yet started his Mission, or whatever his reasoning, he did not want to perform the miracle that his mother was asking Him to do (at least not yet). Mary appears to ignore her Son’s refusal, and turns to the servants, and matter-of-factly states, ”whatsoever he saith unto you, do it” (or in other words, no matter how crazy it sounds, DO IT!). 4
Then she leaves, not allowing any rebuttal from her son. Even though He (for whatever reasons) was unwilling to acquiesce to her request, and His initial reluctance to accommodate her, He told the servants to “Fill the waterpots with water” (as there were 6 large stone waterpots after the manner of the purifying of the Jews). After the servants had filled the pots to the brim, Jesus told them to “Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast”, and they bare it. The governor said to the bridegroom, “thou hast kept the good wine until now”. The water had been turned to wine.
I learn at least two lessons from this story. First, never argue with a woman in charge of a wedding feast. Whatever she asks, just do it! Secondly, that Jesus honored his mother’s request of him, even though it was something He did not want to do. So I now pose the question,… if Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Creator of heaven & earth showed respect and honored his mother (again, especially since it was something that he did not want to do), how much more so, do we need to honor and obey “our mothers” (and fathers) [even if it is something that we do not want to do]?
[TO BE CONTINUED]
I’ve got to run for now.
I learn at least two lessons from this story. First, never argue with a woman in charge of a wedding feast. Whatever she asks, just do it! Secondly, that Jesus honored his mother’s request of him, even though it was something He did not want to do. So I now pose the question,… if Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Creator of heaven & earth showed respect and honored his mother (again, especially since it was something that he did not want to do), how much more so, do we need to honor and obey “our mothers” (and fathers) [even if it is something that we do not want to do]?
[TO BE CONTINUED]
I’ve got to run for now.
All my love, Jamie
3. https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/2?lang=eng
4. https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-10-023-jesus-turns-water-into-wine?lang=eng
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