Out of Focus

I've been reading Jesus the Christ lately and have been impressed with the lack of detail given of the events surrounding Christ's life. Talmage, I believe, leaves details out on purpose, not that many are known anyway. He doesn't speculate or even try to make it seem like he has all the answers. This approach intrigues me.

I find myself asking why is it important to not know all the details?

Why don't we need to know everything about His life, and subsequently about every tiny detail of the gospel, or just life in general?

What lesson can be learned here? 

Do I sometimes get caught up in inconsequential details?

These thoughts have caused me to ponder and today I felt answers come so I thought I had better write them down.

I believe as humans we naturally crave clarity. We want things to be clear. We want to see everything, but I also realized that if we knew everything we wouldn't be required to have faith. We went through the veil on purpose much of our moral life may be continually shrouded by it still, and that's OK. The veil helps us rely on what little we do know and requires faith to cover the rest.

The thought of a camera came to my mind. The scope we are given of Christ's early life is like looking through a camera where the picture is out of focus. You can see generally what is there but lack the clear crispness that the lens can provide. I believe God left it like that on purpose perhaps for two reasons. One, like I said earlier was to promote faith, and two, perhaps to retain some privacy or sacredness of what was most precious to Him.

Then my thoughts turned to optometry. When sitting behind the phoropter, the doctor rotates through a variety of lenses that are intended to give the best and clearest vision to the patient.

 

So what if God was the doctor? Would he make it all clear so we could see perfectly the mortal life we must conquer? Or would he purposefully leave our mortal prescription a little blurry so we can generally see what lies ahead of us, but unable to clearly define everything? Would he then fit us with a special lens that allows us to see the clear picture when we sincerely asked Him for help, and approached Him in faith for increased understanding?

I believe He has done just that. His ways aren't our ways. He obviously can see things we can't with our mortal myopia. His plan is perfect. He leaves things out of focus on purpose so that we have to exercise our faith and rely on Him, while allowing us to see just enough to muddle through. That little bit of clarity may sometimes get in the way of our faith when we mistakingly believe "we've got this," when instead it should help launch us forward into the unknown where we must navigate by faith. 

Family History & Temple Work

This week while reading in the Book of Mormon I was reminded about the powerful promises that are given in Malachi 4  & 3 Nephi 25

 1 For behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

I had no idea what this verse was talking about until I read the explanation given in the Book of Mormon Student Manual:

What does it mean that the “proud … and all that do wickedly” will be burned and left without either root or branch? (3 Nephi 25:1). This phrase refers to the theme of 3 Nephi 25. Consider your roots to be your parents or ancestors and your branches to be your children or posterity. To be united with our roots and branches, we must receive temple ordinances. The Lord said He would send Elijah before the Second Coming to restore priesthood keys that would allow families to be complete—both roots and branches. In 1836 the sealing power was restored, and it provides the way for families to be eternally linked (see D&C 110:14–16; 128:18). However, the proud and the wicked will be burned up and left without either root (ancestors) or branch (posterity), leaving them cut off from their family and the sealing blessings.

 Elder Jeffrey R. Holland spoke of this idea: “Elijah restored the sealing powers whereby ordinances that were sealed on earth were also sealed in heaven. … Without that link no family ties would exist in the eternities, and indeed the family of man would have been left in eternity with ‘neither root [ancestors] nor branch [descendants]’” (Christ and the New Covenant [1997], 297–98).

This imagery makes me think of my ancestors. It made me think of the awful possibility of one of them being left alone without any family ties that would link them to me. If there was any way that I could help avoid that awful possibility I would do it. The fabulous news is that there is something that I can do! I can search out my beloved ancestors and take their names to the temple and do their temple work for them, with the hope that they will accept that work. This scripture helps motivate me to do my very best to find my kindred dead because the thought of one of them being left out brings me much sadness.

          

Later on in the chapter are these verses:

5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord;

 

 6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

I especially like this part, " turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers."   

Once again I studied the Book of Mormon Student Manual and found this insight:

The Prophet Joseph Smith also explained the meaning of the word turn and its application in our lives: 

“The word turn here [in Malachi 4:5–6] should be translated bind, or seal. But what is the object of this important mission? or how is it to be fulfilled? The keys are to be delivered, the spirit of Elijah is to come, the Gospel to be established, the Saints of God gathered, Zion built up, and the Saints to come up as saviors on Mount Zion.

“But how are they to become saviors on Mount Zion? By building their temples, erecting their baptismal fonts, and going forth and receiving all the ordinances, baptisms, confirmations, washings, anointings, ordinations and sealing powers upon their heads, in behalf of all their progenitors who are dead, and redeem them that they may come forth in the first resurrection and be exalted to thrones of glory with them; and herein is the chain that binds the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, which fulfills the mission of Elijah” (History of the Church, 6:184).

 I know that the Spirit of Elijah is real. I know he has returned to the earth and restored the sealing power. Since I have started attending the temple more regularly, I have noticed the power that is there. I have also started taking my own family names to the temple. Temple work has taken on a new meaning for me because I know that the people I am helping are being linked to me!

I am so grateful for the sealing power and the blessing that it is in my life.

Take No Thought For The Morrow

This week has been kind of rough.

We've been struggling with illness at our house and it has been a real roller coaster around here.  

These words from the Book of Mormon gave me a lot of comfort this week:

 3 Nephi 13:25    Remember the words which I have spoken. Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.  

To me Christ is saying, "Don't worry so much about the details, it will all work out."

He then goes on to give examples of His power to provide for even the smallest creatures and plants.

 26 Behold the fowls of the air, for they sow not, neither do they reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin;

 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, even so will he clothe you, if ye are not of little faith.

 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

 32 For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

My Heavenly Father knows of my needs and will help me get through my trials, if I have faith and trust in Him.

 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.

I've been so wrapped up in the future and what it going to happen, that it sometimes gets me down. Reading this last verse about "taking no thought for the morrow", has helped me realize that I'm not in control. God is in control and if I let him take care of me he can make me better than I ever could on my own.

The Troxler Effect

Our eyes continually move even while we fix our gaze on an object. We are largely unaware of this movement.  Then object that we stare at can completely fade from our awareness because our brains adapt to the steadiness of the image.  (1) The small, involuntary eye movements made when fixating on something fail to move the stimulus onto a new cell's receptive field, in effect giving unvarying stimulation.  So when our brain has unvarying stimulation, it tends to fade that image and focus only on that unsteady, changing images.


This is called the Troxler effect. Here is a demonstration of how much our visual system adapts to the environment:



Just stare at the center dot in this figure for about 15 seconds, and the outer ring should fade completely from view! (2)

This is because the unvarying stimuli soon disappear from our awareness.















Here is another example: if a small piece of paper is dropped on the inside of one's forearm, it is felt for a short period of time. Soon, however, the sensation fades away. This is because the tactile neurons have adapted and start to ignore the unimportant stimulus. But if one jiggles one's arm up and down, giving varying stimulation, one will continue to feel the paper. (3)

Simply stated the Troxler effect happens when things that are steady and unchanging in our visual field sometimes fade away from our awareness because the brain no longer recognizes the stable image.

This effect has spiritual application. In Helaman chapters 10 Nephi commands the people to repent. They had just witnessed a miraculous event when Nephi had told them about the death of the chief judge (v.13).  The amazing event was right in front of their eyes, yet they could not see it. They were blind to the obvious power of the Lord.  The steady unchanging doctrine of the Lord was so simple that it faded from their vision as they proudly looked inward believing that they needed no change.

Another example of this effect is in Helaman chapter 11.  When the steady comforts that the people enjoyed and took for granted became scarce, they began to see again all that they had been given, and pleaded for mercy.  The blessing of food that was so constant in their lives that it almost faded from their awareness. They essentially were blinded to the Lord's constant blessing that he provided for them because it was so steady and unchanging. Then when Nephi asks God for a famine, the sudden change in environment brings things back into perspective for the people and they begin to realize their constant dependence on the Lord.

Later in Helaman chapter 11, Nephi prays and asks for the famine to end, which it does. The rains come and the people prosper again. Once again the steady flow of blessings from the Lord causes "blindness" to the people as they adapt to their prosperity and stop seeing where their blessings are coming from.

In Helaman chapter 11 verse 34 we read, "Now this great evil, which came unto the people because of their iniquity, did stir them up again in remembrance of the Lord their God." The great evil that is referred to is talking about the Gadianton robbers who came into their lands and caused much destruction.  The Nephite people had to have things constantly stirred up in their lives in order to remember God.  When things got too calm, they would forget, and in essence experience the Troxler effect.

I have had this same effect in my life too.  When things are going well, I tend to forget why they are going well, and who is my benefactor.  I too need my world stirred up at times to help me to remember my God.

I believe that the simplicity of the gospel and the constant flow of blessings from our Heavenly Father can sometimes lull us to sleep, or cause our brains to shut out the obvious.  The only way to keep our hearts and minds from adapting to the pleasant circumstances is to continually keep pushing the refresh button in our brains. This is why we go to church and hear the same things over and over again. This is why we read the same books of scriptures again and again.  The natural man/woman in us will naturally stop seeing the steadiness of blessings unless we are constantly reminding ourselves of them.

 






Sources:

1.
http://www.nature.com/nrn/journal/v5/n3/full/nrn1348.html
2.
http://scienceblogs.com/cognitivedaily/2009/10/02/casual-fridays-troxlers-not-fo/ 
3.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troxler's_fading

The Armor of God

This week while reading in Alma I came across the account where Moroni prepares his soldiers for battle in chapter 43. The Lamanites preparations were also highlighted. For family night we sat down and talked about the differences between the two different groups. Here is what we came up with:

Then we talked about the Armor of God and how important it is to put on the whole armor, not just pieces.  To finish up our FHE lesson we talked about the Armor of God in Ephesians 6:11-17 and Doctrine & Covenants 27:15-16.

I shared with my family a quote that I had read in the Book of Mormon Student Manual:

What Protective Armor Do We Have Today? 

• President Harold B. Lee (1899–1973) explained one way that we could apply these verses to our lives today:
  “We have the four parts of the body that the Apostle Paul said or saw to be the most vulnerable to the powers of darkness. 
  The loins, typifying virtue, chastity. 
  The heart typifying our conduct. 
  Our feet, our goals or objectives in life and finally 
  our head, our thoughts.
  
  
  “… We should have our loins girt about with truth. What is truth? Truth, the Lord said, was knowledge of things as they are, things as they were and things as they are to come [D&C 93:24]. … ‘Our loins shall be girt about with truth,’ the prophet said.
  
  
  “And the heart, what kind of a breastplate shall protect our conduct in life? We shall have over our hearts a breastplate of righteousness. Well, having learned truth we have a measure by which we can judge between right and wrong and so our conduct will always be gauged by that thing which we know to be true. Our breastplate to cover our conduct shall be the breastplate of righteousness.
  
  
  “[By] what shall we protect our feet, or by what shall we gauge our objectives or our goals in life? … ‘Your feet should be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.’ (Ephesians 6:15). …
  
  
  “And then finally the helmet of salvation. … What is salvation? Salvation is to be saved. Saved from what? Saved from death and saved from sin. …
  
  
  “Well, now the Apostle Paul … had his armoured man holding in his hand a shield and in his other hand a sword, which were the weapons of those days. That shield was the shield of faith and the sword was the sword of the spirit which is the Word of God. I can’t think of any more powerful weapons than faith and a knowledge of the scriptures in the which are contained the Word of God. One so armoured and one so prepared with those weapons is prepared to go out against the enemy” (Feet Shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace, Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year [Nov. 9, 1954], 2–3, 6–7; see also Ephesians 6:13–17; D&C 27:15–18).
  
  
  
  
   After discussing the different part of our armor, we decided to make a mural so we could see it every day. We drew the following picture on the door that leads from our dining room into our living room. We look at it often and it has been a great reminder to us to put on our armor and protect our most vulnerable parts.
  
  

Their Souls Are Precious

Lately I’ve been studying about prayer. 

This last week I read in the Book of Mormon (Alma chapter 31) about two very different prayers.  The first one was given by a group of people called the Zoramites who prided themselves on how unique they were from the other group was something that stood out to me.  Their prayer was more of a recitation that each person said, one after the other upon a stand called the Rameumptom. Unfortunately after their rote prayers, they would go home and never speak of their God again until they met again.   Here is their prayer:

Holy, holy God; we believe that thou art God, and we believe that thou art holy, and that thou wast a spirit, and that thou art a spirit, and that thou wilt be a spirit forever.

 Holy God, we believe that thou hast separated us from our brethren; and we do not believe in the tradition of our brethren, which was handed down to them by the childishness of their fathers; but we believe that thou hast elected us to be thy holy children; and also thou hast made it known unto us that there shall be no Christ.

 But thou art the same yesterday, today, and forever; and thou hast elected us that we shall be saved, whilst all around us are elected to be cast by thy wrath down to hell; for the which holiness, O God, we thank thee; and we also thank thee that thou hast elected us, that we may not be led away after the foolish traditions of our brethren, which doth bind them down to a belief of Christ, which doth lead their hearts to wander far from thee, our God.

 And again we thank thee, O God, that we are a chosen and a holy people. Amen.

.

Alma on the other hand was deeply affected by the way that the Zoramites had perverted the plain and pure manner of prayer. He was so disturbed by what he saw that he was brought to his knees and poured out his heart to God. His prayer is striking different. He prays with deep devotion to a God that he obviously has a relationship with. Here is his prayer:

O, how long, O Lord, wilt thou suffer that thy servants shall dwell here below in the flesh, to behold such gross wickedness among the children of men?

Behold, O God, they cry unto thee, and yet their hearts are swallowed up in their pride. 

Behold, O God, they cry unto thee with their mouths, while they are puffed up, even to greatness, with the vain things of the world.

Behold, O my God, their costly apparel, and their ringlets, and their bracelets, and their ornaments of gold, and all their precious things which they are ornamented with; and behold, their hearts are set upon them, and yet they cry unto thee and say—We thank thee, O God, for we are a chosen people unto thee, while others shall perish.

Yea, and they say that thou hast made it known unto them that there shall be no Christ.

 O Lord God, how long wilt thou suffer that such wickedness and infidelity shall be among this people? O Lord, wilt thou give me strength, that I may bear with mine infirmities. For I am infirm, and such wickedness among this people doth pain my soul.

O Lord, my heart is exceedingly sorrowful; wilt thou comfort my soul in Christ. O Lord, wilt thou grant unto me that I may have strength, that I may suffer with patience these afflictions which shall come upon me, because of the iniquity of this people.

 O Lord, wilt thou comfort my soul, and give unto me success, and also my fellow laborers who are with me—yea, Ammon, and Aaron, and Omner, and also Amulek and Zeezrom, and also my two sons—yea, even all these wilt thou comfort, O Lord. Yea, wilt thou comfort their souls in Christ.

 Wilt thou grant unto them that they may have strength, that they may bear their afflictions which shall come upon them because of the iniquities of this people.

 O Lord, wilt thou grant unto us that we may have success in bringing them again unto thee in Christ.

 Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious, and many of them are our brethren; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee.

What strikes me the most about these two different accounts is the lack or considerations and blatant disregard for others that the Zoramites had for their brethren the Nephites and the utmost compassion and concern that Alma had for the Zoramites. One group loathing the other and Alma being filled with charity for the people who essentially hated him and what he stood for.

Alma says, “Their souls are precious.” 

After reading that I thought of how I might react in a similar situation. What would I do if someone I knew was struggling spiritually? How would I react if I knew someone was having a spiritual crisis? Honestly I thought that I would shrug it off and say it wasn’t really any of my business. I think my first instinct would be not to get involved.  Alma’s example of fervent prayer for people he hardly knew but cared so deeply for has helped me realize that I need to change my attitude. If I can truly see people for who they really are, then I can feel for them like Alma felt for the Zoramites.  That is the key. Realizing that every person on this earth is precious changes things. It has changed the way I think and hopefully will bring me to my knees in prayer for those in my circle of influence.

Crisis

The world was turned upside down last weekend when terrorist attacked the city of Paris.  I was deeply saddened by the attacks.  The hashtag #prayforParis started trending and I thought that I could do more than offer a simple prayer. I went to the temple and lifted up my heart to God for the people that were affected by the violence.  These tender feelings have stayed with me all week.

Now a week later we are faced with a global chaos.  Political leaders in our own nation are battling because of the Syrian refugee crisis that was pushed to the forefront of the agenda in light of the recent attacks.  I am torn about the issue. My heart goes out to all of the people who are suffering because of the evil that has surfaced.  

Recently my Church published a letter encouraging members to help the refugees. The following information was taken from: https://www.lds.org/church/news/viewpoint-help-the-refugees-among-us?lang=eng

“It is with great concern and compassion that we observe the plight of the millions of people around the world who have fled their homes seeking relief from civil conflict and other hardships. Thanks to the generous help of our members, the Church is providing assistance to migrants and refugees in several countries.

“Members may contribute to the Church Humanitarian Fund using the Tithing and Other Offerings donations slip. We also invite Church units, families, and individuals to participate in local refugee relief projects, where practical.

“May the Lord bless you as you render Christlike service to those in need.”

“We have been given a scriptural injunction from the Lord to care for strangers among us in Leviticus 19:33–34: “And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him. But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself.” 

“We have a responsibility to extend help as well as hope to the hungry, to the homeless, and to the downtrodden both at home and abroad,” said President Thomas S. Monson during his April 1990 general conference address (“Conference Is Here”).

“We can help LDS Charities with this goal. As we read or watch news of refugees today, may we all think about the pioneer heritage we all share as Latter-day Saints and reach out to the strangers or refugees among us.”

Mormon pioneers at Red Buttes Camp on October 19, 1856. The pioneers are trying to light a fire to cook with in heavy snow and wind.

This council from our church leaders seems a stark contrast to the fearful, hatefilled messages that are being broadcast in the news by political figures and other people.  There is much talk of security and making sure that terrorist don’t come into our country under cover as a refugee. I get that.  Certainly we need to take care of the security of our own people first. I totally agree that our national security is a huge concern. 

I just wish there was a way that we could be compassionate and cautious at the same time. All of these thoughts and more have been filling my heart and mind. I haven’t been able to reconcile them all but I have found some comfort from reading the scriptures.

While reading Enos I was struck by something that I had never thought of before.  Enos prays mightily and receives forgiveness for his sins. His very next thought is for his brethren. He says:

 9 Now, it came to pass that when I had heard these words I began to feel a desire for the welfare of my brethren, the Nephites ; wherefore, I did pour out my whole soul unto God for them.

Later on in verse 10 Enos talks about how he had received an answer that his brethren would be blessed according to their obedience, and that they would suffer for their sins.  Enos is saddened by this and doubles his efforts in prayer.

Again he says in verse 11:

“I prayed unto him with many long strugglings for my brethren, the Lamanites.”

The Lord then answers in verse 12:

“I will grant unto thee according to thy desires, because of thy faith.”

Enos is realistic about the current situation. He doesn’t dismiss the severity of the circumstances.

 14 For at the present our strugglings were vain in restoring them to the true faith. And they swore in their wrath that, if it were possible, they would destroy our records and us, and also all the traditions of our fathers.

But even though the outlook was bleak, Enos and his people didn’t lose hope. They did their best, even though it was in vain.

20 And I bear record that the people of Nephi did seek diligently to restore the Lamanites unto the true faith in God. But our labors were vain; their hatred was fixed, and they were led by their evil nature that they became wild, and ferocious, and a blood-thirsty people, full of idolatry and filthiness;

I think that there is a parallel for our day. We have brethren (ISIS/terrorists) who are a wild, ferocious and blood-thirsty people. They want to destroy us and the traditions of our fathers.  We also have millions of people who are displaced and suffering. I think we can take a lesson from Enos and not lose hope and faith. He knew it was bad, but he still prayed earnestly for those people who hated him and his people. 

It never crossed my mind to pray for the terrorists last week.  It  never dawned on me that both sides of the attacks were suffering. After reading about Enos I realized that even though I can’t fix the mess that our world is in, I can certainly pray with Enos like faith for my brethren who are waging war in other parts of the world, and for those refugees who suffer. They are  all my brothers and sisters, because are we not all children of God?  Enos’ faith was rewarded, so why can't my faith be also?

Mormon was another example of desiring good for his enemies. In the Words of Mormon he says:

8 And my prayer to God is concerning my brethren, that they may once again come to the knowledge of God, yea, the redemption of Christ; that they may once again be a delightsome people.

I realized after reading these two accounts that I can pray and have hope for my brethren the Syrians, the terrorists, and all those in every country that have been victims of terrorist activity.  I can give financial support to the refugee cause. I can let optimism fill my heart even though things are ugly.  Do I have all the answers? No. But I have hope and faith, and that is enough for today. 

Finding Out For Myself

This week in my Book of Mormon class we read 2 Nephi 28.  Also this week in the news there has been a big to do about some new changes to the Handbook of our church.  This news caused quite a commotion all over the internet.

I couldn't help but think about a few things that I had read this week while reading about the upset on the news.

Here are a few verses from 2 Nephi 28:9-15, that I thought were applicable:

9 Yea, and there shall be many which shall teach after this manner, false and vain and foolish doctrines, and shall be puffed up in their hearts, and shall seek deep to hide their counsels from the Lord

  12 Because of pride, and because of false teachers, and false doctrine, their churches have become corrupted, and their churches are lifted up; because of pride they are puffed up.

 14 They wear stiff necks and high heads; yea, and because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men.

 15 O the wise, and the learned, and the rich, that are puffed up in the pride of their hearts, and all those who preach false doctrines, and all those who commit whoredoms, and pervert the right way of the Lord, wo, wo, wo be unto them, saith the Lord God Almighty, for they shall be thrust down to hell!

 It seems to me that pride is the root of the problem.  To quickly take offense and lash out at something that is at first glance difficult to understand is certainly a sign of pride. To me is seems that those who don't understand this change in the Handbook are saying in a sense that they know better than God and his servants. They are pitting their will and knowledge and experience against that of the all knowing Creator. 

President Benson  has said: "We pit our will against God’s. When we direct our pride toward God, it is in the spirit of “my will and not thine be done.

The proud cannot accept the authority of God giving direction to their lives. (See Hel. 12:6.) They pit their perceptions of truth against God’s great knowledge, their abilities versus God’s priesthood power, their accomplishments against His mighty works."

  The Lord doesn't mince words when he talks about what will happen to people who distort good and evil.

 2 Nephi 28:16-19

16 Wo unto them that turn aside the just for a thing of naught and revile against that which is good, and say that it is of no worth! For the day shall come that the Lord God will speedily visit the inhabitants of the earth; and in that day that they are fully ripe in iniquity they shall perish.

 17 But behold, if the inhabitants of the earth shall repent of their wickedness and abominations they shall not be destroyed, saith the Lord of Hosts.

 19 For the kingdom of the devil must shake, and they which belong to it must needs be stirred up unto repentance, or the devil will grasp them with his everlasting chains, and they be stirred up to anger, and perish;

 This verse kind of sums up what has happened. There are lots of people who are angry with that which is good.

2 Nephi 28:20

 20 For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good.

An another popular lie that is has widespread believers is this:

 2 Nephi 28:22

 22 And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance.

 Satan would have people believe that truth is relative. There isn't a right and a wrong per say, and anyone who stands up and pronounces their belief in what they believe is right is automatically labeled as a bigot or hater.  It is unfortunate that so many people have fallen for this lie. God's truth doesn't change. It really isn't big news that the Church doesn't support same-sex marriage. We believe in traditional families. We believe marriage is between a man and a woman. So it it only makes sense to me that these changes in the Handbook have come out.

 For anyone who thinks that the church is finished with such updates, that the Handbook is complete, and that we don't need any more counsel about this subject, read this:

2 Nephi 28:27-32

 27 Yea, wo be unto him that saith: We have received, and we need no more!

 28 And in fine, wo unto all those who tremble, and are angry because of the truth of God! For behold, he that is built upon the rock receiveth it with gladness; and he that is built upon a sandy foundation trembleth lest he shall fall.

 29 Wo be unto him that shall say: We have received the word of God, and we need no more of the word of God, for we have enough!

 30 For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.

 31 Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost.

  32 Wo be unto the Gentiles, saith the Lord God of Hosts! For notwithstanding I shall lengthen out mine arm unto them from day to day, they will deny me; nevertheless, I will be merciful unto them, saith the Lord God, if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lord God of Hosts.

To me that means that the Lord isn't finished with updates and additions and revelation. He has so much more to give us. If we are grounded in our testimonies of Jesus Christ, we will receive such information with gladness, learn wisdom, and He will give us more.  Clearly the Lord wants us to know of His ways. I also felt the Lord's mercy in these verses. There will be misunderstandings and confusion at times, but He will be merciful to all those who struggle. Even though they may not believe in Him and His ways, he certainly hasn't stopped believing in them.  The same goes for us. Even though we may not understand why people understand or don't understand this new development, we must try to be merciful and kind.

Lastly I want to share a quote from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk "What is Truth?"

"Latter-day Saints are not asked to blindly accept everything they hear. We are encouraged to think and discover truth for ourselves. We are expected to ponder, to search, to evaluate, and thereby to come to a personal knowledge of the truth."

"Brigham Young said: “I am … afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by him. I am fearful they settle down in a state of blind self-security. … Let every man and woman know, by the whispering of the Spirit of God to themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates.”

If all those who are frustrated with the change in the Handbook would take this to heart and take a little initiative to find out for themselves whether or not the change is inspired of God, then much of the negativity that has been spewed about would stop.  But this kind of sincere desire to know the will of God takes humility which is the opposite of pride. As long as pride is coursing through the veins of the people of this world there will be little room to know what God would have us do.

I have personally tried to find out for myself. I don't have a complete understanding but, " I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things (1 Nephi 11:17)" I know that if I continually petition the Lord for understanding and confirmation doing my best to be humble in my efforts, the Lord will give me that confirmation. I know that He lives and loves me and all of His children.  I know that this life is a test and that we are asked to do things that sometimes don't make sense or we don't understand, but if we move forward in faith, we will be blessed. 

For more clarification check this out: 
https://youtu.be/iEEMyc6aZms