The Golden Carrot
Carrot for horse : Eternal life for man
by
Carolyn Spencer
A pastime my husband and I enjoy is watching short video clips online. Sometimes we like the funny ones, sometimes the serious ones, some to view beautiful cinematography, some to be inspired by the goodness in this world. One that James and I recently saw was a video of a donkey team pulling a massive cart up a steep cobblestone hill and it is an image that has been imprinted on my mind. Another similar image like this one was when I had the opportunity to go to the Louvre Museum and see a painting of a man harvesting his field. He has three large horses that are putting their back into their work. Their muscles bulging and their hooves digging into the dirt. It takes a lot of work to carry a big load or to plow a field. We all know of the classic image of the carrot on a string dangled in front of the working horse to give it the motivation to work hard so that he can earn that delicious carrot. It’s not there to tease or to annoy the horse, but to help him look forward to all he can have after his work is through. We to have a carrot that is promised us as we endure and live through this wonderful life we’ve been blessed with. There are times when we get to graze in the pasture, there are times when we must push and pull in the field, and there are moments when we want to turn back. But as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints there is a Golden Carrot that is the promised end goal of our lifelong journey. We have been taught and blessed with the truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and know why we are here and where we have the potential to go! What a Carrot that is! Today I would like to go into depth on how to keep our eye on that carrot and allow it to lead and guide us in this life.
That “carrot” is Eternal Life. As we have held to the Rod of Iron and made it to the Tree of Life, we have entered into sacred covenants with our Heavenly Father and we are promised Eternal Life as we continue in that strait way. As we are told in the vision of the tree of life by the prophet Lehi we know that some partake of the fruit of the tree of life and are ashamed. They see and hear the mocking of the world and stray from the tree, leaving behind the greatest of all blessings. We must never leave that tree and take heed to the opinions of man. We have been given the guide of how to stay near the tree and how to share it’s fruit with others. Why would one stop to eat dirt when there is a carrot in the future? Why do we break our eternal covenants with God only to leave the blessing of Eternal Life by the wayside. Because the voices of the adversary are enticing and loud! But there is a way to combat the jeering, to share the good news and to make it to the end. Nephi, the prophet Lehi’s son, counsels with wise advice ways to help us keep our focus on that great prize of eternal life! In 2 Nephi 31:19-20 it reads;
“And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay;
for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.
Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.
Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.”
Within these two versus of scripture we are given counsel on how to receive eternal life, the golden carrot. As I account these principles I will also share thoughts from Elder Nelson’s talk “Let your Faith Show” from the 2014 April General Conference.
First, we must have a perfect brightness of hope and a love of God and all men. Last weekend we had the great opportunity of joining family in Bear Lake ID. While we were there we visited the Minnetonka Caves. They were incredible, with their stalactites and cave bacon. The huge rooms of limestone were filled with incredible formations. At the very back of the cave the tour guide turned off all the lights. She told us the only other spot as dark as the back of a cave is the very bottom of the ocean. Standing there in the pitch dark holding baby Jane made me remember how grateful I am for the Light. When you are in utter darkness and literally cannot see a thing, there is nothing more hopeful then seeing light. Jesus Christ is the Light of the World. He is the center of the Gospel and should be the center of our homes and lives. How can our faith be strengthened in His light? Elder Nelson shares that, “Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ can be bolstered as we learn about Him and live our religion. As you practice your religion, you are exercising your faith. You are letting your faith show." It is so important to LIVE what you believe, for just as sharing a testimony strengthens it, so does living a religion strengthen your belief and knowledge of your faith. My Grandpa carried a wonderful poem in his wallet all his life and I would like to share it’s words with you:
The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing but examples always clear;
And the best of all preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see the good in action is what everybody needs.
I can soon learn how to do it, if you’ll let me see it done.
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run!
And the lectures you deliver may be very wise and true,
But I’d rather get my lesson by observing what you do.
For I may misunderstand you and the high advise you give,
But there’s no misunderstanding how you act and how you live!
As you LIVE your religion you emanate your faith, shining the Light of the Gospel to others. Allowing them to be lead out of darkness and unto Christ. This is one of the greatest actions to show love of God and all men. Sharing your religion, your light, your faith with the world. Teaching them about the end goal of Eternal Life. Elder Nelson stated that, “The word religion literally means “to ligate again” or “to tie back” to God. The question we might ask ourselves is, are we securely tied to God so that our faith shows, or are we actually tied to something else?”
This leads us to our Second guide to receiving Eternal Life, we must press forward. I love the analogies that a Kite holds. A kite can't rise without the wind pushing it, there must be an opposition to push it and give it the ability to fly. But it will never reach it's greatest heights without being firmly tied to its string! When you think about what you are tied to does it give you the strength and steadfastness to rise amongst the storm and to press through the wind? There are many things in this world that clammer for our time. Endless bombardment through media, social life, music, news and the constant “keep up with the Jones’s” lead us to tie our desires and focus away from Eternal Life. When we give head to the noise around us the still small voice no longer can be heard and we are tied to false securities that will cause us to dangerously get caught in the wind. When a kite lets go of its string that is held by a steady hand it flutters and crashes to the ground. We must strive to keep ourselves securely tide to the Gospel to rise above the world and make it to our eternal goals.
Third, we must Feast upon the words of Christ. Whenever I hear this phrase my mind goes immediately to the image of a Thanksgiving dinner. All the delicious foods set out beautifully on a set table. Everyone has been helping make the food and preparing for the feast and finally it is time to sit down and eat. When you feast you do not take a small nibble or just stare at the food, you FILL your plate. One does not nibble at a feast. This is how we need to be with our scriptures, with the words of living prophets, with the counsel of our Apostles. We need to feast daily to nourish our spirits and provide us the necessary knowledge to make it through each day. We know our destination is eternal life, but “life” gets in the way and clouds that focus. This is why daily feasting is so important. Elder Nelson shares that, ”The scriptures provide one of the best ways to find our course and stay on it. Scriptural knowledge also provides precious protection." No one would choose to go into a battle without wearing their protection of armor! Scripture study literally protects us daily from the fiery darts that may come our way. When we choose to study and diligently read from the sacred works we are taught the truths of the gospel and reminded daily of the principles we must strive to live to make it back to our Father in Heaven. Just as we get up and prepare our morning breakfast meal we should remember the importance to daily feast on the word of God. I have a wonderful Aunt and Uncle whom I lived with right before James and I got married. I went into their bedroom to place a thank you note on their bed on my last day in their home. As I laid it on their pillow I noticed a fork placed on their scriptures. It was a wonderful visual reminder that one must feast on that great book. In Elder Nelson’s talk he states, “The Lord knew that His children would need to learn how to find Him. “For strait is the gate,” He said, “and narrow the way that leadeth unto…exaltation, and few there be that find it.” The scriptures help us to learn how to find Him. They teach of Christ and testify of His great plan for us.
Fourth, endure to the end. This seems to be the dreaded phrase in the gospel. Endure often is connotes negativity and hardship. And yes, it is true that this lifes journey is difficult…but remember that kite? We must have opposition to learn, grow and reach great heights. There is no other way. But the last part of the phrase is the carrot! When we say ‘endure to the end’ we are speaking of Eternal Life the greatest end goal one could ever hope for. We work really hard for the best things in life; a happy family, an education, a loving marriage, having a baby, providing for a family…None of the great things in life come free. And so it is with Eternal Life. Our Heavenly Father expects and requires greatness from us. He has given us all the possible keys and tools and is all merciful. What great hope the Gospel gives!
It allows us to have hope through the Light of the Christ, it gives us greater love than the world could ever offer, it strengthens us and allows us to press through difficult times, it provides living scripture to teach us and it gives us an Eternal goal to work towards. How grateful I am for the Covenants the gospel blesses us with. As you are baptized, endowed and sealed with the powers of the priesthood you are blessed with protection and power to resist the world and rise to eternal goals. So, just as a carrot is hung in front of the working horse, we have the promise of Eternal Life to get us through this life! Keep focused on that Golden Carrot! It is the greatest of all blessings you can receive, never leave the safety of the tree of life, follow the prophet and let your faith show. I know that this Gospel is true and am so thankful for the many who gave their lives for us to be blessed with its truths. Remember to keep the faith. I say these things in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.
