I'm not going to make many friends by saying this, but when I was in high school I was not at all impressed with Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I was actually rather offended by it and my mind was scarred with one scene in particular. If you know it, you know it.
There was a knight in the forest who stood up to those who tried to cross him. He consistently stood his ground. Then someone came and fought him. He had his arm cut off during the fight and blood spewed out. Denying it's severity he claimed it was just a scratch and that he'd had worse. Then the other arm was cut off, this time losing his sword wielding arm, and more blood gushed from the new vacancy. "Tis but a flesh wound" he declared, resiliently, and began fighting with his legs and feet. His leg gets cut off but he continues bobbing around like a determined idiot, throwing threats like he's tied to a chair in Alias (sorry, that's a different soap box). "What are you going to do? Bleed on me?" He finally loses his other leg and is left limbless in the wilderness. Still, he confidently calls after them to take what's coming to them, reminding them he still has his mouth. He's still got fight in him. Nothing was able to get him down... well emotionally. He is significantly shorter after having lost both legs.
This past Sunday I have finally found what to do with this absurd and repulsive scene. It's only been fifteen years or so since it seared itself into my mind.
In Relief Society we discussed the talk Consistent and Resilient Trust By Elder L. Todd Budge.
Then we were asked, "What concerns have you taken to the Lord?"
Of course I thought of my period of darkness and how I think we all have to pass through darkness in order to better know and love the light. A few month ago my friend gave a talk about being reborn and becoming something better. He began by talking about when a spirit comes to earth, it spends nine months in darkness before coming into this world when it's born. He finished with an analogy of a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. It too, must spend time in darkness to become something greater and fulfill it's potential.
Others shared the hard things they've gone through. From the death of a loved one to the marriages of younger siblings. Just being in a mid-singles ward shows that we've all been through something hard and we've all had concerns that we've persevered through.
So to relate the scene to what I learned on Sunday, I see myself in this ridiculous bobbing knight. I see us all in him. Faithful and enduring, "I move for no man." Immovable in the face of certain death, trusting in God's plan for each of us. Never giving up the fight, no matter how much it seems we lose.
It was a really good talk and I would encourage reading it here.
Also, for your enjoyment or utter disgust:
There was a knight in the forest who stood up to those who tried to cross him. He consistently stood his ground. Then someone came and fought him. He had his arm cut off during the fight and blood spewed out. Denying it's severity he claimed it was just a scratch and that he'd had worse. Then the other arm was cut off, this time losing his sword wielding arm, and more blood gushed from the new vacancy. "Tis but a flesh wound" he declared, resiliently, and began fighting with his legs and feet. His leg gets cut off but he continues bobbing around like a determined idiot, throwing threats like he's tied to a chair in Alias (sorry, that's a different soap box). "What are you going to do? Bleed on me?" He finally loses his other leg and is left limbless in the wilderness. Still, he confidently calls after them to take what's coming to them, reminding them he still has his mouth. He's still got fight in him. Nothing was able to get him down... well emotionally. He is significantly shorter after having lost both legs.
This past Sunday I have finally found what to do with this absurd and repulsive scene. It's only been fifteen years or so since it seared itself into my mind.
In Relief Society we discussed the talk Consistent and Resilient Trust By Elder L. Todd Budge.
President Russell M. Nelson taught, “The joy the Savior offers [us] … is constant, assuring us that our ‘afflictions shall be but a small moment’ [Doctrine and Covenants 121:7] and be consecrated to our gain.” Our trials and afflictions can make space for greater joy.We talked about the brother of Jared, who had concerns about the Lord’s design for the barges. He prayed saying, “O Lord, I have performed the work which thou hast commanded me, and I have made the barges according as thou hast directed me. And behold, O Lord, in them there is no light. O Lord, wilt thou suffer that we shall cross this great water in darkness?”
The good news of the gospel is not the promise of a life free of sorrow and tribulation but a life full of purpose and meaning—a life where our sorrows and afflictions can be “swallowed up in the joy of Christ.” The Savior declared, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” His gospel is a message of hope. Sorrow coupled with hope in Jesus Christ holds the promise of enduring joy.
Then we were asked, "What concerns have you taken to the Lord?"
Of course I thought of my period of darkness and how I think we all have to pass through darkness in order to better know and love the light. A few month ago my friend gave a talk about being reborn and becoming something better. He began by talking about when a spirit comes to earth, it spends nine months in darkness before coming into this world when it's born. He finished with an analogy of a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. It too, must spend time in darkness to become something greater and fulfill it's potential.
Others shared the hard things they've gone through. From the death of a loved one to the marriages of younger siblings. Just being in a mid-singles ward shows that we've all been through something hard and we've all had concerns that we've persevered through.
So to relate the scene to what I learned on Sunday, I see myself in this ridiculous bobbing knight. I see us all in him. Faithful and enduring, "I move for no man." Immovable in the face of certain death, trusting in God's plan for each of us. Never giving up the fight, no matter how much it seems we lose.
It was a really good talk and I would encourage reading it here.
Also, for your enjoyment or utter disgust:
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