If you've spent much time in an LDS primary, you've certainly had ample opportunity to teach about, sing about and learn about the motto "choose the right". It's such a popular motto that we inscribe it in our jewelry, artwork, Mormon paraphernalia and most definitely our brains. It sticks for life!
How does one actually follow this admonition? In primary, we teach the children to seek inspiration and to trust the spirit, then you'll know which way is "right" and which way is "wrong". To be fair, it's very good advice for children. For them to be given black-and-white advice is necessary for their black-and-white understanding to grasp. Where trouble occurs is when we continue to teach this motto in YM, YW, EQ, RS and HP. As we grow up, our minds undergo remarkable changes, and we're much more capable of grappling with all the "grayness" of life.
For me, the "right or wrong" narrative seems to have less and less significance in adulthood, and here's why:
How often in life are we faced with a choice between something good and something bad? I would estimate, regularly. Tough decisions have to be made on a regular basis at all stages of life:
Yet, if we compare the above list to how often we are faced with a choice between something good, and something else that's good, what do we find?
These "good vs. good vs. good" choices are endless and make up the bulk of life. Every day represents hundreds, if not thousands, of these kinds of choices. Agency is an integral part of our mortal experience. So what's our advice now? Does inspiration prompt us in this kind of decision-making? Can we still get away with saying that ONE, and only ONE, of those options is RIGHT and all the others are WRONG?
I once learned that both the Greek and the Hebrew words for "perfect" translate much more accurately as "complete or whole" and have a correlation to the word "ripe". When you pick a perfectly ripe raspberry from the bush, you know it right away. It practically falls off the bush, it's plump, it's bright red, and it bursts with flavor. If you pick an unripe raspberry, you have to force it off the bush, it's color is pale, the texture is too firm, and the flavor is either sour or simply bland. An unripened raspberry is not WRONG, it's just not ready. Or perhaps it just wasn't intended for you at this particular point in time.
What if the bulk of our choices in life are fruit on the vine? When a particular path is opening for us, we simply need to study the signs: is it falling off the vine? Is it a vibrant color? How's the texture? Smell it. Handle it. Taste it. Then you will know if that choice is RIPE for the picking.
I'll be secretly singing this slightly adapted version of the hymn in my heart next Sunday:
For me, the "right or wrong" narrative seems to have less and less significance in adulthood, and here's why:
How often in life are we faced with a choice between something good and something bad? I would estimate, regularly. Tough decisions have to be made on a regular basis at all stages of life:
- take drugs or "just say no"
- bully the new kid or walk away
- gossip about the loner or befriend the loner
- cheat on your spouse or stay loyal
- embezzle your business funds or keep your integrity intact...
Yet, if we compare the above list to how often we are faced with a choice between something good, and something else that's good, what do we find?
- choosing your spouse
- choosing where to go to school
- choosing what to study
- choosing a career
- choosing a name for your newborn child
- choosing how to invest your money
- choosing where to live
- choosing what home to buy
- choosing how to spend your day
- choosing what to eat, wear, listen to, watch, read, say...
These "good vs. good vs. good" choices are endless and make up the bulk of life. Every day represents hundreds, if not thousands, of these kinds of choices. Agency is an integral part of our mortal experience. So what's our advice now? Does inspiration prompt us in this kind of decision-making? Can we still get away with saying that ONE, and only ONE, of those options is RIGHT and all the others are WRONG?
I once learned that both the Greek and the Hebrew words for "perfect" translate much more accurately as "complete or whole" and have a correlation to the word "ripe". When you pick a perfectly ripe raspberry from the bush, you know it right away. It practically falls off the bush, it's plump, it's bright red, and it bursts with flavor. If you pick an unripe raspberry, you have to force it off the bush, it's color is pale, the texture is too firm, and the flavor is either sour or simply bland. An unripened raspberry is not WRONG, it's just not ready. Or perhaps it just wasn't intended for you at this particular point in time.
What if the bulk of our choices in life are fruit on the vine? When a particular path is opening for us, we simply need to study the signs: is it falling off the vine? Is it a vibrant color? How's the texture? Smell it. Handle it. Taste it. Then you will know if that choice is RIPE for the picking.
I'll be secretly singing this slightly adapted version of the hymn in my heart next Sunday:
Choose the RIPE when a choice is placed before you.
In the RIPE the Holy Spirit guides;
And its light is forever shining o’er you,
When in the RIPE your heart confides.
Choose the RIPE! Let no spirit of digression
Overcome you in the evil hour.
There’s the RIPE and the UNRIPE to ev’ry question;
Be safe thru inspiration’s pow’r.
Choose the RIPE! There is peace in righteous doing.
Choose the RIPE! There’s safety for the soul.
Choose the RIPE in all labors you’re pursuing;
Let God and heaven be your goal.
Choose the RIPE! Choose the RIPE!
Let wisdom mark the way before.
In its light, choose the RIPE!
And God will bless you evermore.
