Sweet Spirits

(This post is primarily addressed to single LDS males, but I think this opinion, as poorly voiced as it is, could lead to wonderful changes in the world's many societies)

I've noticed that an interesting phrase crops up in Mormon culture when guys talk about girls. If the conversation turns toward a girl that the men mutually recognize as very faithful and in perfect harmony with many LDS ideals but not so ideal in terms of physical attractiveness, they laugh to themselves and say "she's a sweet spirit." The phrase indicates an inner beauty, but they use it degradingly, as if temporal beauty were far more important than beauty of character and faith. I personally find this unwise (just as far as priorities go), but I'd like to go a little deeper into how purpose-defeating this emphasizing of physical over spiritual attractiveness really is.

Remember the scripture mastery in 1 Corinthians 15:40-42? There are bodies celestial, bodies terrestrial, and bodies telestial. The majesty and quality of resurrected bodies is evidently dependent upon the degree of glory attained. Celestial bodies will have greater glory and privileges than terrestrial or telestial bodies and that there are three kingdoms within the Celestial Kingdom itself, suggesting that there is quite a range of glory our bodies can possess. Would not the most marvelous of these belong to the most valiant? And is not eternity longer than the brief life one would have to enjoy the worldly and limited beauty of a socially ideal spouse? With an eternal perspective in mind, placing physical attractiveness so far over faithfulness as to degrade the valiant daughters of God--who will eventually be crowned as queens in all their splendor--makes no sense. If beauty is your goal, why sell yourself short for the temporary and temporal 'pretty' instead of seeking the eternal and exquisite 'stunning?' Why not give the Sweet Spirits a chance? The benefit would largely be your own.

This may be radical, but I meant to say it that way. We have been carefully trained to seek certain less-than-important qualities in a wife, and this encourages them sacrifice the best qualities in order to satisfy the demands the world (including us) places on them. It bothers me that the adversary took something as wonderful as beauty and, through manipulation of values and shortsightedness, perverted it. Let us shake off the chains with which we are bound and begin to truly appreciate people for who they are instead of just what they look like. You and I are unlikely to live this precept perfectly, but it is disgusting how often we cheer and run with arms stretched wide to embrace the lies that have been set up to catch us. We need to fight to lift the shroud from our eyes so we can properly see Eternity through the faith and virtue of the magnificent Sweet, Sweet Spirits around us.

A Fire [Re]Kindled

I just had the blessed opportunity to read Parley P. Pratt's sermon on spiritual communication in the Journal of Discourses, volume 1. I must say, after spending a number of weeks seriously detached from the spiritual connection I once felt, this was like staring at the sun immediately after waking from a long night's sleep and at the same time having a highly respected figure rest his hand on my shoulder and say convincingly, "This is truth James. Stay on this path." A wonderful experience, I feel renewed.
Toward the end of his discourse, Elder Pratt (an early and well-known Apostle in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) spoke fervently about the incomprehensible importance of the charge we as Latter-day Saints have to carry out work for those who have passed from this life. Throughout the sermon, he powerfully portrayed the agony of spirit prison, or hell, and his vivid, terrifying description gave me a surge of motivation to more actively fulfill my calling, which has to do with LDS work for the dead. So strangely passionate are my feelings toward extending my small hand to help those trapped in such a tormenting state that I felt the need to write how I feel in a place that I will be able to access again when I again feel lethargic and less than willing to go to work.
As an afterthought, here is a website that you can use to access this sermon--and many others if you wish: http://jod.mrm.org/1/6

Confusion and ...Rehabilitation?

We just had a two-week break from college, and it was very relaxing... maybe too relaxing. I spent a lot more time goofing off than I meant to, so I didn't get everything done that I wanted to (like posting twice a week on here) and my normal lifestyle pattern went out the window. Instead of going to bed around midnight and waking up around 7 am, I consistently stayed up into the wee hours of the morning and slept in as long as I could. I didn't read scriptures as long as I planned to, and I was distracted while I read. I had a lot of fun and spent some good time with family (and friends, but not as much time as I had hoped), but I found myself feeling numb and dull after about a week. It took another week of trying to go back to how I wanted to live to see some real change. Just last night, while having a spiritual discussion with a man I really respect, I finally recaptured some enthusiasm for how I wanted to be living. On the other hand, leaving home and hearing some bad news today left me a little emotional drained. On the other other hand though, I talked to some good college friends and I don't feel drained anymore, so I know I can make it.
I guess I'm not talking about anything profound right now, but I guess the lesson I learned (again...) is that when I get lazy/apathetic and don't stick to how I know I need to live, it takes a lot of effort to rebound, so I really can't afford to let myself slide down--especially if I want to be an effective servant of God.