A Higher Perspective

Photo taken from my plane leaving from Salt Lake looking down at the Wasatch Mountains.

" I will give them power that they may behold and view these things as they are."

D&C 5: 13, 24

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In the upper left part of this photo is Mount Timpanogas. From this perspective it doesn't look as impressive as it does from the valley in Utah County. However the ridge line of the mountains in the foreground are beautiful and impressive from this perspective above... yet, from below in the valley, this commom mountain range is not viewed to be as beautiful as the landmark Mt. Timp... yet from above.. it is magnificent.

Perspective: The manner in which objects appear to the eye from any distance and situation, real and imaginary.
View: The whole extent seen. Sight, power of seeing.

How is our perspective on things in this world? Is our perspective from the "valley's" the proper view of how things really are? What do things look like from the higher perspective? Could the things that don't look as impressive from "below" actually be viewed amazing from above? and vice versa?

We learn in the Doctrine and Covenants that the Lord will grant unto us the the view of the things which we desire to see if we do not exalt ourselves.. but humble ourselves sufficiently in mighty prayer and faith, in the sincerity of our hearts. (D&C 5: 24)

Mountain, Hill and Valley: The Three Divisions

Photo taken on May 29, 2010 near Landsend Mountain, Colorado.

"Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths."

Isaiah 2: 3

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I recently returned from a mountain climbing adventure with my friend who lives in Colorado. On the way to our hike, we passed this natural "temple-like" rock structure. It is a focal point in the fertile valley near the city of Paonia (an Indian reservation) surrounded by majestic mountains.

At first glance one might not see the symbolism in the photo.. of the division of earth and sky... and also the three divisions of the earth: the flat green valley, the upward, sloping hills and the rock mountain. Division yet forming a whole structure. Balance.

I just recently learned about the reality of the Spiritual Division of "three " in an email from a friend.

In our modern competitive culture we have three divisions in almost everything we do. We have the First, Place, Second Place and Third place in our teams, our competitions, and our awards.

In the physical world we have the 3 precious metals of gold, silver, and bronze. The 3 Semi-precious metals of copper, brass, and iron.. and the 3 common materials of rock, wood, and clay(dust/mud).

There are also Spiritual Divisions.. of people. (Celestial, Terrestial, and Telestial)

In Isaiah, we can read of the Lord referring to 3 types of people in the Last Days...We have those who see God (who meet Him when He comes), these are those who are protected as a hen under her wings. The next choose not to be protected and suffer for it throughout the tribulation... however some of these survive the calamities of the last days (they are part of that group that needs to repent – and does), and finally there are those who are part of the destruction, who are trodden down.