Christlike Leadership

I’m reading the Lord’s statements on leadership and I’m noticing that the world seems to think that leaders are higher than everyone else: they put them on a pedestal and look at them like unto a master: they praise them, they listen to their counsel, and defend them like you would a king and lift them up above the common people in terms of temporal things. That leader then feels indeed like a king, and in fact is like a king in this regard.

But that’s not how it’s too be: the Lord showed by example that those called to be leaders are to act like unto a servant (at least on this earth) for so he was and so we are: the Savior (though he’s our master and King) did nothing but the will of the father while he was on the earth, and humbled himself to the dust and death in the process. We’re no greater than he is and should expect to do the same; that is: give all that we are and possess to the building and blessing of those souls that are around us.

I’ve seen this in myself as I’ve been called to serve as a leader in my mission: I felt the temptation of the world to lift my self-image via pride and my accomplishments, but before that came, I felt a keen awareness of my role and opportunity to bless the lives of those I served and he brought me low. I desired and tried to do more in that time to build the kingdom and those who served with me than I had ever done before.

I’ve also seen how my leaders at that time would seem to waste and wear themselves out in attempts to take care of my needs and the needs of those in their stewardship. They were always on the move, underfed, tired, and worried about responsibilities they didn’t seem to have enough time to fulfill. But the cool thing about both these situations is that I’ve seen the hand of the Lord support both me and them as we made ourselves low in our service to him despite being leaders. I’ve seen the opposite happen to the leaders of the world. Truly we have need to remember who we really are. I promise that as we do, we'll see his hand helping us in all of responsibilities, were ever they may be. 

"The Giver" Movie Review

(If you know nothing about this movie or the book it's based off of watch the trailer at this link here and then read my article)

THE GOOD

All of you who are familiar with the story should already know that this movie gives a very powerful and deep theme to chew over:

The main theme being its fresh point of view of the Fall of Adam and Eve or the Pandora's box element of the beginning of the world. While many think that the fall was an unnecessary and painfully unfortunate event, the story makes us think over what it would be like to not know the difference between good and evil. Before the Fall, Adam and Eve did not have the ability to choose between good and evil because, just like the characters of this movie, they didn't know the difference. Now the question is: is that a good way to live? Is it better to be denied the opportunity to choose between good and evil so that we never "choose wrong" and can go about normal lives (if you can call it that)? Or is such a life "a life of shadows" like those who know the difference call it in the movie. It's a really deep question, but anyone who believes in some sort of a great Fall/Pandora's box element to the beginning of the world will probably be amazed at this portrayal of how beautiful a life of choice and understanding can be.

The second thing it portrays is a very accurate depiction (in my opinion) of the nature of violence and suffering. There is NOTHING glamorized about such in this movie. In fact it quickly brings the viewer to FEEL the pain others go through and also disgust for violence of any form. If you wish to take a step back from the typical numb-hearted violence of many a modern movie, and instead take a second to feel and remember sympathy and concern for others, then here is a piece of gold.

The third and last main piece of goodness I find in this movie is it's example of pure love, and it comes in the form of love between parental figures and those who look up to them. Teenage Jonas (the main character) and his interactions with an infant named Gabriel are especially endearing. There is no romantic interest, no personal pleasure sought for, or anything else of the sort in their relationship. Yet, it is ridiculously heartwarming to see the two of them together.  

THE BAD

I'm not sure if I saw one ounce of anything questionable in this movie. For most of my second run through of the film I kept wondering why it was rated PG-13. It seriously took me two watch throughs before I figured it out. It's that clean. But then I came to see that the rating came from some of the disturbing scenes that Jonas, the main character, sees as he is shown the past. As I said earlier, the movie does a great job at helping you FEEL the pain of war and suffering, but it does so by bringing you into it.

Otherwise there are some questions this movie raises (if you read between the lines) that I'm not quite sure if I like: Such as its portrayal of breaking rules: one asks the question, "how can [something] be right if it's against the rules?" Can breaking the law be the right thing? This movie argues yes, in defense of the life of a loved ones, but the impact of such a choice in this world has the potential to change the lives of the whole world and only a few people are even involved in the decision. Is that selfish or not?

Or about love and lust: which one is which? What IS love anyway? Is it that warm, nice feeling you get when you're with that one person or is it something else? The movie leaves that a little open to the viewer but brings you to take a peek at both.

The final question that I'm not sure about is in regards to what should and should not be hidden from the world. Memories of the past are suppressed almost to the point of extinction in this world were people don't know what a book, or perhaps even the internet, is.  The innately evil things of the world, such as selfishness and suffering, are hidden from the world, which of course would be nice, but in so doing they also eliminate the innately good things such as love and the arts and family bonds in an attempt to prevent the world from getting the option to choose right or wrong for "when people are given choice, they choose wrong".

THE COMPOSITION

I thought the movie made really good use of editing to maintain the appropriate rhythms and feels for the events that were going on. The scenes seemed to fit together very naturally and I don't expect you will find yourself being distracted by cinematic amateurism. Also Jonas and Fiona (played by Brenton Thwaites (Prince Phillip in Maleficent) and Odeya Rush (probably her first lead role) did a great job in helping us to feel the emotions of the characters. Their portrayal of rediscovering what emotions are and how to deal with them was remarkably believable.

However, the cinematography and acting felt melodramatic to me at times during the more climatic scenes. Cinematically it happened a lot whenever there was a shot that involved specially effects or CGI, probably just a budgeting thing. As mentioned earlier there were several profound lines but at times in the delivery, (I felt this more with Jeff Bridges' lines for some reason) they came off more dramatically then cinematically, like he started to act like he's in a play instead of a movie. Or (and this is what I felt more so) that he/others were breaking the fourth wall and directing their comments toward us in the real world who are eavesdropping into their life rather than the person they were actually talking to.

CONCLUSION

All in all, I liked it and can't wait to watch it for the third time. There's a lot to enjoy and even more to think about. I'm going to give this one the green light in regards to its sheer goodness and a 3.5 out of 5 stars in regards to its composition. If you have anything you noticed about the movie that was good or bad cinematically or in message I'd love to hear it and your defense of your position. Just post below! Also if you know of any movies that are uplifting and well put together I'd love to go and watch them and let you know what I think.

Anywho, see you next week Light-Finders!

Widow's Mite

I have often fantasized about what living a life that is fully consecrated unto Christ would be like; that is, when the entirety of one’s mind and will and time are finally turned over to Him and alll you care about is what he cares about. I imagine being able to be true to that mindset and how "one" you would feel with the Lord. You'd hear his promptings more, you'd do his will and please him more, and you'd see his hand more. 

The Widow that gave all her meager living as an offering to God is an example to me of this: She gave all she had and apparently did so with a willing heart and without zealotry for has the Lord ever received something that was given grudgingly or in an unrighteous manner (think on Cain and Abel)? Yet the Savior, who was standing nearby noticed the offering and told his disciples his praise for her. Notice that just a few verses earlier he told a scribe how important it was to love God, affirming that it is the "first commandment" even the greatest and most important. All this draws my mind to the Lord's statement, "greater love hath no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends". Here we see that statement closely followed if not fulfilled. I don’t think I can think of greater sacrifices this woman could have made than to give ALL she had to God and do so with the right heart; there’s a chance this might have cost her her life. I feel this is why the Savior used her as an example of giving the right way. 2nd Nephi 25:23 of the Book of Mormon states that “…it is by grace that we are saved after all we can do” and she definitely did all she could; take in mind that those offerings, and thus her offering, were taken and used to do good with.

So how can we do likewise? I’m going to look outside of money at this time; the Lord has given commandments to aid the poor but he’s also given commandment that set limits on generosity, so I’m going to leave it to you to turn to the Lord and find out what you can and cannot give financially. Outside of money and possessions, my mind is drawn to our hearts and minds: they are the only things we can give to the Lord that are truly ours to give. Surely if we were to make a serious effort to love Him first and foremost and trust Him and do what He tells us to do with a smile… could there possibly be a better gift?