I have met a really remarkable woman. She’s deeply spiritual and loves being a daughter of God. She’s very accomplished academically, speaks and reads Hebrew, knows some Greek, homeschools her children, runs an impressive site about all women mentioned in holy writ, fulfills her church callings wonderfully well, cares for her physical body with devotion and dedication, and blesses every single person she has the privilege of meeting.
She’s always smiling.
Moreover, she glows with gospel goodness.
She recently taught me a principle that I absolutely love. She said that instead of shelfing things she doesn’t presently understand, she “stairs” them. In her life, hard to figure out things don’t get halfheartedly laid on a shelf never to be reached for again in mortality. No! She places them on stairs, not shelves.
Then, the most important thing: she climbs really diligently up each stair as she seeks, ponders, works, prays, discovers, and finds answers. Finally (sometimes years later!), she reaches the top of the stairs where she’s laid the “must discover” item, and when she picks it up again, it’s no longer mysterious and confusing. Rather, it has new meaning and understanding. She has received answers as she’s climbed.
And she goes on her way. Rejoicing in newfound revelation. Pondering what she has received. Thanking God for it. Applying it. Letting it change her. Using her newfound knowledge to bless others.
Of course, there are some answers she knows have to wait until after this life, but for the so many that don’t, she has discovered the truth of Elder Maxwell’s words:
“To those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, it is clear that the Father and the Son are giving away the secrets of the universe!”
(Neal A Maxwell, “Meek and Lowly, Brigham Young University devotional, Oct 21, 1986)
She’s getting all these answers because she isn’t satisfied with shelfing. It just won’t do for her. She demands more of herself. No doubt Father sees her devoted sacrifice of sincerity, time, and effort, and He rewards her with increased understanding and revelation.
I love her example.
She’s not the only one to which I can look for an example.
Joseph Smith comes quickly to mind. Thank Father he didn’t shelf his “serious reflection and great uneasiness.” (Joseph Smith History 1:8) Thank Father he diligently labored “under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties of religionist.” (Joseph Smith History 1:11). Thank Father he read James 1:5. Thank Father he “reflected on [that scripture] again and again.” (Joseph Smith History 1:12) Thank Father he “came to the conclusion that [he] must either remain in darkness and confusion or else…do as James directs…” (Joseph Smith History 1:13) Thank Father he “venture[d]” (Joseph Smith History 1:13)
Oh goodness, thank Father above that Joseph Smith didn’t shelf it!
I want to stair present non comprehendible things.
Not shelf them anymore.
And then work at climbing much more diligently towards “universe secrets.”
Unto all the world: How about it – stair over shelf?