Monday, August 3, 2009

Inspiration Can Be Found in Many Places

Focusing narrowly on music, it’s hard to sing or listen to “I Stand All Amazed” or Handel’s “Messiah” or Alan Jackson’s “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning” or Harry Chapin’s “Cat’s in the Cradle” (chosen to illustrate the wide diversity of genre) - for the first time, especially - and not feel awe and wonder and joy and peace and insight and love. It’s hard not to feel what have been called the fruits of the Spirit. It’s easy to dismiss it as an “emotional reaction,” but the Spirit touches our emotions as often as He instructs our minds. In fact, we are told that the Lord requires the heart and a willing mind. (D&C 64:34)

I think the key is:

Moroni 7:13 - “But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.”

That definition, coupled with the admonition that follows it to be careful not to reject that which fits this description, opens up a much wider scope for inspiration and the working of the Spirit than many people are willing to allow. It even opens up the kind of inspiration / confirmation that Brothers Eyring have mentioned from their days as scientists. (confirmation of “scientific” truth)

2 comments:

Mormon Bachelor Pad said...

I had a spiritual experience to the punk band Yellowcard's song "Believe" once...

Anonymous said...

Good to hear this.I'm grateful to have had this stated so clearly as it's an experience that I have often had,largely from the arts but also in both personal and professional relationships,when communication has been facilitated soul to soul.I love the fact that the spirit can invite and entice to do good-words one might most often associate with darker things.It's good to know that being good can feel good too,and a truth that we should teach more widely.