Brothers and Sisters, "Aloha."
It is a humble privilege to be with you today. Taking the clock back 39 years ago to February, 1973, I recall with great love my days at the Church College of Hawaii. I was a fresh and naive missionary struggling to learn the language of my forefathers at the Language Training Mission (LTM). I felt the "Aloha Spirit" strengthen me then, just as I do this day.
I have been extremely blessed for the past 19 years to be part of BYU-Idaho. I consider this employment the celestial kingdom of all my work experiences. As I have witnessed thousands of young men and women pass through our halls the thought often comes to me, "I wonder how many of these students really get it? How many of them catch the vision of their purpose and privilege of being at a Church institution? I wonder the number of students who just go through the motions. How many miss the divinely calculated opportunity placed in life's path to develop their foreordained potential and capacity?
I worry we are as the scriptures pronounced as having eyes to see, and see not. (Ezekiel 12:2)
The Savior in his earthly ministry came across a man blind from birth. Jesus, the Master Healer, prescribed an interesting process. He anointed the blind man's eyes with a spittle of clay and instructed him to wash in the pool of Siloam. This blind man went his way, washed, and came seeing (John 9:7).
The cured man then went through a barrage of questioning and accusations from his neighbors and the Pharisees. To the point they labeled the Savior a sinner, to which the now sighted man responded, "Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not, one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see" (John 9:25).
Recognizing mortal vision is spiritual blindness
We all came to this mortality blind. According to the divine plan of happiness, the great veil prohibits us from clear remembrance of what we were and what we can become. None of us are born with 20/20 spiritual sight and thus we all suffer from some type of spiritual sight impairment. Like the blind man, we all depend on the Master Healer for our eyes to be opened.
During my occupational pathway at BYU-Idaho, much of it has been in the role of determining disciplinary actions. While in the Student Honor office there were dismissals for violating the honor code. As the Registrar it was my signature on the letter for academic suspensions. And as the Dean of Students I counseled with troubled students and at times decided their best option was to leave the university.
So it should not been a surprise when nearly a year ago I received a phone call from my brother who then served as a ward mission leader in Utah. He had been with a full-time missionary visiting less active families that night and said, "I couldn't wait to get home to tell what happened."
As they introduced themselves to the couple they were visiting, the husband asked if he was related to a Miyasaki who worked at Ricks College? Rick responded, "He's my brother." The husband proclaimed he kicked me out of school, and then his wife chimed in, "He kicked me out also."
They went on to explain they both deserved to be dismissed. They shared some chuckles with my brother about the coincidence of meeting up with a relative whose mission it was now to draw them back in the fold. It ended up being a good discussion. As the missionary and my brother returned to the car, the missionary said to my brother, "Your brother kicked me out of school too."
Wow, a triple play. Did you catch the common theme? Who kicked them out? They all noted it was me. However, I do not recall being engaged in their violation nor do I remember failing the courses that resulted in suspension. In order to have our eyes open, we must first realize we are blind.
When working in the Student Honor office in the early years of my employment, I recall a young man who lived in the men's dorms, and was referred after many suspected he was engaged in several honor code violations. He vehemently denied the allegations, and commented how we lacked trust in our students with our "silly rules". In a short time a second report came to my office that he was witnessed violating the Word of Wisdom. This time he openly admitted to his disobedient behavior and began mocking the College and the Church. I recall having a feeling come over me of a love for this young man. I literally saw him as a Son of God and sensed our Father's love for him. In the midst of his mudslinging I interrupted him, and told him of my witness that he was God's son, He loved him, and he was supposed to be here at Ricks College. The young man responded with a vulgar response, stood up, walked out the door, slamming it behind him.
I recall sitting there feeling empathy for this young man and his heart-broken parents. Several years later, I received a letter from this young man's parents. It told of how this young man never returned home, and instead went to a large city basically living a life of sin. In a very sorry state, hungry and alone, he entered a public bus one night. The driver noticed the young man, and at one stop asked if he would be interested in a hot meal as he was ending his shift. He accepted the offer, and the bus driver took him to his home.
The bus driver just happened to be a member of the Church. He would later explain the Spirit came to him and told him to invite this young man to his home. This was the beginning of a long journey of repentance, and an honorable completion of a full-time mission. This repentant soul could proclaim, "Where I was blind, now I see."
This young man though blind was still in the watchful eye of the Father. As testified, "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him" (2 Chronicles 16:9). Our Father in Heaven knows and watches over us always. When our heart is ready, He then can work miracles.
Father Lehi foresaw the path of our mortal journey being challenged by a mist of darkness, even an exceeding mists of darkness, so great that some of those who commenced the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost (1 Nephi 8:23).
The great mists of darkness arise in our lives at various times and take many forms. Sometimes they are great temptations and trials, but most often they are very subtle to the point it is hardly noticeable that our grip on the iron rod has loosened.
At BYU-Hawaii, it may be the mists of ingratitude or entitlement that blind you from seeing the small and simple means the Lord uses to mold you. Perhaps you feel it is unreasonable to expect you to work at the Polynesian Cultural Center, or that your PCC job has little value or meaningful purpose. It may be you think you deserve better housing conditions. You may think the instructors expect too much of you, or an instructor did not reward you with the grade you thought you deserved. Or, you may think the University has no business telling you how should dress at the beach.
If the mists of darkness are not enough, our vision can also be distracted by the great and spacious building which represents the pride of the world (1 Nephi 11:36). President Kim B. Clark in addressing BYU-Idaho students suggested the following "warning flags" of pride:
1. Do you find yourself critiquing the talks in sacrament meeting?
2. Are you critical of others? Do you look down on others? Do you scorn or ridicule them?
3. When adversity strikes, do you hear a voice inside that says, "Why me?"
4. Do you react to prophetic counsel by ignoring it, being upset by it, or interpreting it to suit your own desires?
5. When you do something good, do you hear a voice inside congratulating yourself?
6. Do you feel self-gratification and a sense of importance in your knowledge and skill?
7. If someone you know receives something good, do you hear a voice inside saying, "What about me?"
8. Do you find ways to let others know of your success without appearing to boast?
9. If someone corrects a mistake you made, do you feel defensive and resentful?
10. When someone does something that creates inconvenience for you, do you feel annoyed?
(President Kim B. Clark "Are Ye Stripped of Pride", BYU-Idaho Devotional, January 5, 2010)
If these questions caused a little squirm in your soul, as it they do mine, our spiritual vision needs correction.
Sometimes the mist of darkness is how we see our outward appearance. We may think our hair is horrible, our walk weird, our shape unsightly, or our voice undesirable. There are countless comparisons we can see in others and instantly judge ourselves as inadequate. The beauty of our spirit is blinded by the focus on the tabernacle of our body.
There are the foggy times when we face disease, defects, and death in our personal lives or those we love. Or there are the mists that come from our lack of confidence. Spiritual sight impairment is evident anytime our thoughts, actions, and words are contrary to the will and mind of Christ.
I invite you to pray to have the Lord reveal your spiritual blind spots. If you ask in faith, he will provide insights so your blindness can be revealed. For as He promises, "I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them" (Ether 12:27).
Realizing spiritual sight is dependent upon faith
Our prayers should be reflective of the blind men who sought Jesus as He traveled from Jericho. In the midst of a great multitude when they heard that Jesus was passing by and cried out repeatedly, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David." Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? They said unto him, "Lord, that our eyes may be opened" (Matthew 20:29-33).
Mists of darkness are a vital part of God's plan. Our spiritual blindness causes us to yearn to see that which is unseen to the natural eyes. We learn that things of the spirit can only be seen when relying upon the atonement and healing power of the Savior. The Lord declared, "Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation. For after much tribulation come the blessings" (D&C 58:3-4).
We should understand the purpose of our mortal journey is stated by our Lord, "...we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them" (Abraham 3:25).
Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught, "What we see around us depends on what we seek in life...The qualities of spirituality we have been able to embody in our lives are often evident in the way we react to death or other apparent tragedies or misfortunes...Strength is forged in adversity...Faith is developed in a setting where we cannot see what lies ahead"(Elder Dallin H. Oaks "Spirituality" General Conference, October 1985).
After my wife suddenly passed away at the young age of 53 due to an initial cardiac arrest followed by a severe stroke, I was on my knees often. My prayers were full of questions, doubts, fears, and pain. Although I accepted and knew it was the will of the Father that Darla should leave this mortality for a wise purpose I did not understand, it did not relieve the anguish of my soul or the trials I faced.
One morning in such a state of prayer, I found myself pleading with the Lord for guidance through these foggy times. I didn't know how to parent by myself. I didn't know how to do our family accounting. I didn't even know the passwords to many of our accounts. I found that making daily menus was a chore. The laundry never ceased and nor did the dust in the house take a vacation. I missed my sweetheart's presence. I longed to hear the magic of her voice. I missed our prayers together, the good-bye and hello kisses. I felt overwhelmed and understood why it was not good for man to be alone. Yet I was. And so my plea for the Father was to show me how to do all of this mortal stuff. I prayed hard with tears streaming down my face as I committed to the Lord to do my part, but I needed His help.
As I rose from my knees I felt a voice say to me, "I gave you your father."
One achieves spiritual vision when we see as the Lord sees
My siblings and I were blessed by having goodly parents. My father and mother, both were Nisei, being born in Idaho after my grandparents migrated from Japan to the United States. Although they were acquainted with each other, their romance didn't grow and blossom until after my father joined the army. Through mail correspondence and brief return trips to Idaho, they fell in love and were married while my father was on a furlough. A short time after their marriage an injury during a training exercise caused hemorrhaging within my father's eyes resulting in complete and total blindness.
Can you imagine being a newlywed, full of hope and enthusiasm for the future, and within a few months laying in a hospital bed with the words of the doctor ringing in your ears, "Soldier, you will never see again"?
My father went through the difficult months of learning how to see in a world of darkness. He was discouraged and depressed at times, described in his own words, "living in a crucible of self-pity". It was not fair. It was not deserved. Yet, it happened.
My father learned how to see with darkened eyes. He learned to read with his fingers and ears. Dad went to Utah State University desiring a degree in Dairy Management. This brought the protest of the College Dean who told him a blind person could not succeed in this field. Dad asked to be given a chance, and earned a 4.0 GPA his first semester. He went on to graduate, and started a poultry farm that grew to a 15,000 laying hen operation. My father retired, and went back to school, earning a Masters in Counseling and Guidance from BYU. He worked with juvenile delinquents, and then became the counselor at the local high school.
Beyond my father's academic and professional achievements, there seemed to be nothing that he could not do. He did the electrical work when constructing the coops for the chickens. Dad gardened and carpentered. He was an avid fisherman, and was willing to do and try anything. There are accounts of him golfing, riding a bicycle, driving a car, and many other sight dependent tasks. My father was even asked to umpire a baseball game in which he said the jeers of telling him he was blind as a bat were all true, and no one could really complain about his calls.
Dad had a sense of humor and a way of lifting people that was remarkable. My older brother shares a story of when my mother was not home and my dad needed a ride to the City Hall to attend a City Council meeting. My brother was not old enough to drive, but he was the only one available. As fate would be they were pulled over by the city constable. He looked at Rod, and rhetorically questioned if he was old enough to drive. To which my dad responded, "Well Vene, it was either him or me." The constable walked away without giving a citation.
My dad had a remarkable ability to discern who a person was by their voice, handshake, or sometimes just by their presence. Then he would always quip something like, "You must be on a diet, you're so skinny, I can't even see you!" or "You're so good looking you blind me!"
My father though blind had remarkable vision. He taught me by his exemplary life, lessons that I now needed in my hour of despair. As I finished my prayer that morning and in answer felt the words, "I gave you your father", the words of a hymn, "fresh courage take" invigorated my soul. I knew that I now needed to follow the example of my father. I needed to learn to see and understand with spiritual eyes. My mortal eyes were blinded by the mists of darkness, of the pain and anguish of the death of my eternal companion. That priceless message was a supernal gift from One who saw my plight and healed my eyes. I learned that morning that I must learn to see as my father did. Not with mortal eyes, but with eyes eternal.
Eternal sight can be obtained by solidifying our will with the Father and learning to pray in the name of Christ
The Apostle Paul taught, "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:18).
There is only one source which we can call upon to have our eyes opened to see the eternities. The psalmist wrote, "The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind..." (Psalms 146:8), and the Lord proclaimed, "For by my Spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will:yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man" (D&C 76:10). It is "by the power of the Spirit our eyes [are] opened and our understandings [are] enlightened, so as to see and understand the things of God.
We all rely upon the Master Healer and the enabling power of His atoning sacrifice to become like Him and see as He does (D&C 76:12,19).
Knowing we all suffer spiritual sight impairment, and realizing such impairments are evident when we think, act, or speak contrary to the will and mind of Christ, how do we receive corrective lenses so we can see with the eyes of eternity?
How does the Lord heal us and open our eyes?
I would like to have us study the pattern taught in Doctrine and Covenants Section 46 as we seek to correct our spiritual sight impairments.
In verse 28 it states, "...he that asketh in Spirit shall receive in Spirit." This causes one to ask, "What does it mean to ask in Spirit?" The pattern is taught in verses 30 through 33. First, we learn that he that asketh in the Spirit asketh according to the will of God. The Spirit can and will prompt and teach us what we should pray for.
The Apostle Paul teaches, "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered" (Romans 8:26).
This intercession reminds us of the great intercessory prayer offered by the Savior when He prayed, "that they may be one, even as we are one" (John 17:22). Being one, means we have to see as God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ sees; we must feel as They do; desire as They do; and act as They do. Even in the toughest of times when the world is foggy and the mists are heavy, we must seek this oneness.
What does one pray for when your eternal sweetheart is at the gate of Heaven? I must confess my initial prayers as my Darla went into cardiac arrest were for her to live. But, as my son offered a priesthood blessing and was unable to pronounce life, I knew the will of God. So my prayers turned to understanding the will of the Father and what he would have me learn and do. On the very last night before Darla left this mortality, I sensed her proximity to her mortal exit, and asked my children to have the night alone with my wife. Although she was unconscious, I read her a collection of scriptures. I told her what lessons I learned and bore witness of her next journey. I expressed my eternal love. I held her non-responsive hand and offered a prayer to our Eternal Father. As I was praying I had an interesting feeling come over me. It was as if the Spirit was prompting me to ask whatever I desired, and it would be granted. As I pondered this feeling briefly, I responded by saying, Father, if it be thy will, please take my sweetheart to her eternal state. I then laid my hands on her head and offered the last mortal priesthood blessing she would have.
Often for us to understand the will of the Father, it requires us to go beyond our mortal desires and short-sightedness. We must as Paul taught see the things that are not seen. I know the love Darla and I share is not limited to the boundaries of mortality, but expands to the eternities. I have been blessed by countless tender mercies to know she is my eternal companion, and though we are separated by a veil, we walk together in spirit. I know she is performing a heavenly work that required her to go beyond my understanding, but my faith relieves all doubts. The scales of my mortal eyes have fallen. I have obtained a peace. It is the unusual peace described by the Savior, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27). With eyes now opened by the Lord, my troubled heart was healed, and I was not afraid of the future. I could also declare, "Whereas I was blind, now I see."
Second, we learn, all things must be done in the name of Christ. Doing things in the name Christ is not just merely closing our prayers in his sacred name, but entails much more. The Bible Dictionary teaches, "We pray in Christ's name when our mind is the mind of Christ, and our wishes the wishes of Christ, and his words abide in us. We then ask for things it is possible for God to grant. Many prayers remain unanswered because they are not in Christ's name at all; they in no way represent his mind, but spring out of the selfishness of man's heart" (The Holy Bible, Bible Dictionary, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, p. 753).
Third, we must give thanks unto God in the Spirit for whatsoever blessing ye are blessed with. Again, the key is we give our thanks in the Spirit. When we contemplate, acknowledge, and express gratitude for the many blessings we have been given by the Father, then our eyes of understanding can be opened.
These eyes of understanding are critical in our navigation of a complex world of darkness and deception. Elder David A. Bednar taught, "In these latter days you and I can press forward safely and successfully through the mist of darkness and have a clear sense of spiritual direction. Discernment is so much more than recognizing right from wrong. It helps us to distinguish the relevant from the irrelevant, the important from the unimportant, and the necessary from that which is merely nice." Elder David A. Bednar, "Quick To Observe" BYU Devotional, May 10, 2005
You have been given the great blessing of being here on this beautiful campus. This is the Lord's campus, and He knows you are here. You are here for a purpose. He knows your blind spots. He desires you to have eternal vision and become like Him. He will heal you. He will help you. He wants to help you.
Here is the promise: "And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you...Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you..." (Doctrine and Covenants 88:67-68).
May we all call upon our Lord to have mercy on us and open our eyes of understanding so that we can declare, "Whereas I was blind, now I see" in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen