Week 40: A "Hot" Topic

Elder Hadlock, Jr. (he's a "hot" Elder!

First a report on Elder Hadlock, Jr. (Benjamin) – some excerpts from his email this week: We taught a lady called Mrs. Duggie (but all of her neighbors call her the witch lady because she’s like 70 years old and has all these reptiles and lives off the land. She has lots of snakes and lizards. …We are struggling to find new people to teach. There are a lot of older people here who are set in their ways, but I’m working hard and having fun!

We loved hearing that last part – “working hard and having fun!” – what more could you ask.

The main “story” for us has been the hot weather. The temperatures have been in the high 80’s low 90’s. Nothing we’re not used to in Vernal. However, without air conditioning in our apartment, it’s been quite uncomfortable.  In fact, most homes don’t even have air conditioning here; it just seldom gets this hot. Thank heavens the office has air conditioning.

On Saturday we  took advantage of an air conditioned movie theater and saw Maleficent. Good movie, but popcorn was not so “hot.”  Even got Elder Hadlock to go to an air conditioned mall – took advantage of Coldwater Creek’s “Going Out of Business” sale. Hot buys there! The Apple Store proved to be pretty “cool” in more ways than one, too.

 

Our meals have been prepared with minimal cooking. In fact, Saturday night we had crackers & milk – one of my favorites actually. 

So, while sitting in church, I wondered what the scriptures had to say about being “hot”. Well it appears that sometimes hot is good and sometimes not so good.

“And they gathered it [manna] every morning …. and when the sun waxed hot, it melted.”(Exodus 16:21)  Moral of story: when the Lord says gather what you need early – do it – before things get “hot” and things melt and it’s too late.

Elder Hadlock, Sr. is "Hot" too!

Several references in Judges talk about “the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel” – and he “delivered them into the hands of spoilers” …drove them out before them of the nations, sold them into the hands of a king, and into the Philistines, etc. – It’s not good when the anger of the Lord is hot against us.

“And in his hot displeasure, and….in his time, will cut off those wicked, unfaithful, and unjust stewards, and appoint them their portion among hypocrites, and unbelievers.” (D&C 101:90)

“For after today cometh the burning … for verily I say, tomorrow all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble; and I will burn them up, for I am the Lord of Hosts; and I will not spare any that remain in Babylon.” (D&C 64:24)

But … ”he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming.” (D&C 64:23). Pay your "Fire Insurance!"

It's good to remember these lessons, but there is a “positive” side of “burning.” Have you ever felt that “burning within”? I have, and I like it!  It seems to come most often when pondering, reading the scriptures, and gathered with the Saints. Psalms 39:3 describes it this way: “My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned.”

The resurrected Christ appeared to his disciples and taught them. Here’s what they had to say:  “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:32)

Mount Rainier is "cool" on a sunny day!

And when a multitude of Nephites were gathered at the temple following Christ’s resurrection: “… they were thus conversing one with another, they heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; …. And notwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center,  … yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn.” (3 Nephi 11:3)

So it’s a“burning within” we seek and a “burning from without” that we want to avoid!  And …. It’s better to be hot  than lukewarm:

“O know thy works, that thou are neither cold nor hot; I would thou were cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” (Rev 3:15-6)

Well, that’s the “hot” topic of the week. May this week bring a “cooling off” period.