The Rainbow Connection

Today in my Creative Writing class, my teacher touched on the hurricanes since there’s a rather tender poem published in our school newspaper about Katrina. The classroom slowly took on it’s own conversation. “That…so bites…” said one girl (Marcie Glad). “What a nightmare!” another said. But then one dramatic voice kinda sent us all into a stunned moment of silence.

“It’s the end of the world, people.”

The depressed quiet only lasted a second or two, but it was a tangible horror that hung in the room. But only for a moment. The girl in front of me said something (she acts and dresses like a skate punk and has too much makeup and all that, so I never would’ve expected this).

She suddenly cried out, “No it’s not! I saw a rainbow yesterday!!”

Everyone broke into a relieved laugh. And I remembered that yeah, there was a double rainbow yesterday. Naturally followed by a beautiful sunset.

First of all, I had just explained this to my friend Skyler Mann and my entire church seminary class a week or so ago. Second, I remembered how annoyed I was that my little brother Caleb made such a big deal out of the rainbows the previous evening. I remarked aloud, “Now that I know how a rainbow is made, the magic is gone.” It was just annoying how he had burst into the kitchen, going, “Mami, Mami! Come outside—there’s a rainbow!!! Come onnnnnn!!”

But to fully understand the rainbow connection you’ve gotta be Mormon. It’s kinda the folklore that if there’s no rainbow for a year, the Second Coming is near. Or, that the Second Coming is in a year if there’s no rainbow. (Hey, rainbow connection…anybody got a banjo? C’m here, Kermit…)

Here’s the truth straight from Joseph Smith: “The Lord hath set the bow in the cloud for a sign that while it shall be seen, seed time and harvest, summer and winter shall not fail; but when it shall disappear, woe to that generation, for behold the end cometh quickly (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 305).”

A later, fuller treatment of the matter by the prophet reads: “I have asked the Lord concerning His coming; and while asking the Lord, he gave a sign and said, ‘In the days of Noah I set a bow in the heavens as a sign and token that in any year that the bow should be seen the Lord would not come; but there should be seed time and harvest during that year: but whenever you see the bow withdrawn, it shall be a token that there shall be famine, pestilence, and great distress among the nations, and that the coming of the Messiah is not far distant.’

“But I will take the responsibility upon myself to prophesy in the name of the Lord, that Christ will not come this year…for we have seen the bow…Brethren, when you go home, write it down, that it may be remembered (Teachings, pg. 340-41).”

What hope it gives me to know the Sign of the Rainbow, and that everything will turn out okay and according to the will of the Father. I am thankful for the Lord’s servant, Joseph Smith. In the same sermon, he humbly remarks to the people that he was their unworthy servant. Brothers and sisters, he was worthy. And I say that in the name of the Messiah that shall come again, even Jesus Christ. Amen.

How to Talk to God 1010

So it's been a long time since I came on this blog, but hey. Gotta start somewhere.

I guess I'll say this: I can now say I know for myself that reading scriptures, particularly the Book of Mormon, every single day morning and night--or at least once every day--really does help. I know people say that all the time, but I really can testify to this! I can't quite explain how. Everything just seems to go better--which means that things just click a bit faster, run a bit smoother...you can just breathe better. Little details that as it turns out will completely eradicate all the small stuff you sweat over.

One way to describe it is like someone put some oiling in an old grandfather clock. The clock worked just fine before...but now it's just a little bit better. A little cleaner, a little smoother--just better. It's simply this feeling of peace. You've gotta try it for yourself.

And why don't you? Start now! Read for thirty minutes day and night. Start with a prayer asking God to speak to you through His word. Or, approach Him with a specific question, such as "How can I be a better friend to so-and-so?" or "I want to do ____, is it a good idea?" Then read for half an hour. And I promise that God will answer you. I ask Him something every time I sit down, and in that thirty minutes of reading the Book of Mormon, through the words that are there and revelation through the Holy Ghost, I get an answer. It's always happened, without fail. It's always exactly what I need to hear. Ponder scriptures and then when you recieve revelation, WRITE IT DOWN!! Writing it down communicates to the Lord how you treasure it--I can't remember which General Authority said that. Write it down in a safe place and then when the thirty minutes are up, close with a prayer of gratitude. Then, throughout the day read the revelation and act on it.

Honestly, drop any other program you're on and try this. You usually get through four pages in half an hour anyway, right? I promise you, the feeling of peace and all the right gears clicking--it just can't be priced. And, you are talking with God! It's just magnificent. Try it!!!