What if? Thoughts From David and Bathsheba

4:56 PM ispeakitboldly 1 Comments

David and Bathsheba - Bible Story

  This might be one of the saddest stories from the Old Testament. David had been chosen in his youth by God to replace Saul as king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:7) and was anointed by the prophet Samuel. He was the great-grandson of Ruth (Ruth 4:22) one of the most amazing women in scripture. He killed Goliath the Giant because of his faith in God (1 Samuel 17:37). Israel prospered under his reign. Christ would be one of his descendants (Matthew 1). By all measures he lived the life of a great person. But then in his later years he made decisions that would cost him everything. 
    One night David is taking a walk on the roof of his palace and sees Bathsheba. Seeing a beautiful women is not a crime. Even having a momentary evil thought about her is not a sin. But David decided to dwell on whatever impure thoughts he was having of Bathsheba. More than that he took action to fulfill his desires. He asked who she was and, even after he was told she was the wife of Uriah, sent servants to bring her to him. It needs to be remembered that this sin he committed was not in a moment of passion. It was premeditated adultery. This all took time. Time he could have used to remove these thoughts and gone on with his life with no harm done. Time to turn back if he had sought strength from the Lord to overcome his desires. Even after she was in his room at the palace he could have sent her away. But he didn’t. What if David had turned away after seeing Bathsheba instead of pursuing her? 
    Once the sin was committed and the consequences became known - Bathsheba was pregnant - David had two choices: repent or cover up the sin. He decided to choose the latter. He brought Uriah back from war and tried to get him to spend time with Bathsheba. Unfortunately for David Uriah was loyal to his brothers-in-arms and would not enjoy good food and the company of his wife while others were at war. At this point David had another chance to confess and repent. But instead he compounded his already great sin of adultery by sending Uriah to the most dangerous part of the battle where he would inevitably be killed. Once again this took time and energy and was not a crime or sin of passion. It was premeditated murder. What if David had repented instead of trying to cover up his sins? 
    At some point Nathan the prophet finally has to confront David regarding his sin; demonstrating we can never hide our poor choices from God. David begs for forgiveness, but Uriah cannot be brought back to life. There had been many opportunities along the way to choose a different path. Although his son through Bathsheba - Solomon - does end up becoming king the consequences must be paid. The kingdom of Israel dwindles from that time forward and most importantly - and tragically - David loses the greatest gift of God: exaltation (D&C 132:39). 
    What are the lessons that can be learned from this story? Even the most righteous and seemingly untouchable of us can fall if we give into temptation. None of us are ever “safe” from sin because of past good deeds. Every one of us needs to be constantly vigilant against our weaknesses to avoid falling into traps. And what might seem like an insignificant thought can blossom into tragic consequences if we don’t stop before it’s too late. Don’t let impure thoughts dwell in the mind and heart festering to become fulfilled. “A small and seemingly innocent invitation can turn into a tall temptation which can lead to tragic transgression” (Russell M Nelson). Like Joseph in Egypt run away from sin as quickly as possible. Another lesson is once a mistake has been made immediately confess and make restitution if possible. Since the beginning Satan has wanted us to sin and then try to hide from God. But God knows our thoughts and actions. We cannot cover up our sins with greater ones. Don’t add to one mistake with another by delaying repentance or making more bad choices. Finally, don’t wait for God to come to you. Humbly approach Him and seek forgiveness. Through Christ’s Atonement we can be made whole (Isaiah 1:18).     
    None of us is perfect. We all have different weaknesses. It is not our place to judge others from their failings. But it is our responsibility to learn lessons from them and to be more wise than they have been (Mormon 9:31).  

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Intent and Incompetence

4:17 PM ispeakitboldly 0 Comments


    Both in my personal life and in the larger society I’ve thought a lot recently about negative outcomes and how they have occurred. I’m going to use a couple of specific examples from recent memory to aid me in this brief discussion.  
    This first example is not a political debate per se, and it is definitely not intended to be provocative. Within two months there were two separate events. Both resulted in the deaths of teenagers. One was 16 deaths. The other 17. One was a bus crash in Canada carrying a hockey team. The other was a school shooting in Florida. Both were tragic and in both cases parents never saw children again.(1) The point I’m making is the only difference was that the bus crash was unintentional (i.e. due to incompetence) while the school shooting was intentional. The outcome was the same. Both were violent, traumatic deaths for the victims. People were dead and they would no longer pursue dreams or enjoy time with loved ones. It’s just that one was carried out by evil intent while the other was due to incompetence.  
    Now the second example is a personal (and less controversial) example. I had an insurance agent quote me on my car insurance. I was told it would be $400 for the year. I agreed, paid the bill, and we went our separate ways. A couple of months later I received a bill for an additional $90.(2) I talked to the agent and he said that the original quote was inaccurate, but I was still liable for the additional cost. I then explained to him that whether or not it was an honest mistake or (as a salesman) he intentionally misled me the result is the same. I must pay an additional 20% to what we initially agreed to. The negative outcome and the harm it caused me was no different whether it was a result of intent or incompetence. 
    With both of these examples and many others I’ve reflected on whether or not it matters if a negative outcome is the result of intent or simple incompetence. There are many other ways this can be seen in our lives. A manager may not like you and set out to ruin your career with you getting fired or she may just be terrible at her job that results in the team being let go and your career is still over. An incompetent baker may bake a terrible cake because he has no idea what he is doing and your party would be just as ruined as if the baker maliciously chose ingredients that would also ruin the cake and thus your party.  
    We tend to be much more forgiving when people are incompetent than when they intentionally cause harm. The news tends to ignore stories of incompetence more than those of intent. So it would seem that even if the results are exactly the same (or even worse) we are more willing to accept incompetence than intent. But should we? Should we allow humans to drive cars on the road any more than we allow people to own guns? Should an incompetent salesman be fired as soon as a dishonest one? If our goal is less harm to individuals and societies then it seems incompetence should be dealt with as quickly and harshly as intent.(3) It probably wouldn’t be too hard to demonstrate that incompetence causes much greater harm in our society than intent…(4) 

I’d like to hear your thoughts.  



(1) Now in this instance people will say we don’t need guns. But it can also be said we don’t need hockey. “Necessity” is not the point I’m debating in this instance. Also a guest on Bill Maher’s show said she attributes a negative character to firearms because lots of people are dying. But lots more people are dying from car deaths and few people associate cars with a negative character. 
(2) Because I’m not married and insurance for single people is more expensive
(3) "The greatest good for the greatest number”; see Jeremy Bentham and Utilitarianism
(4) The road to hell is paved with good intentions

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Silver Lake

8:57 PM ispeakitboldly 0 Comments


     There is a canyon that slices it’s way up the Wasatch Range. A river - perhaps creek or stream would be a better word - runs along the side of the road. Many campers or picnickers select an open spot to enjoy food, warmth by a fire, and time with loved ones. There are many of these as the ascent continues. Some are grouped together while others are isolated away from strangers. It is a paved road that runs between towers of rock looking down on those who wander into this wilderness. The colors vary only in shades of brown, grey, cream, and red - what would be typical of the somber stones that fill the mountain. A fork in the road, take the left path, and it continues upwards. The air becomes cooler, fresher, cleaner, newer.
    The first stop would be a small reservoir that allows for fishing, canoeing, and walking. The parking lot is often filled with cars or vans bringing friends and families to this escape. It gives a sample of what is yet to come. For those who want a little less the time to stop is not yet. But the journey continues upwards as the path winds back and forth to reach ever higher. There is such a variety of trees from aspens to evergreens that climb the mountain with voyagers. The mountains in the distance that rise above the trees still maintain remnants of the recent winters with blankets of white in the shadows hidden from the sun. Another right turn leaves smooth pavement behind for uneven, bumpy, packed dirt. Water and wheels have done the work to create small hills and dips that make the trip just a little more exciting. Low-lying clouds are pieces of husky undercoat (perhaps not too dissimilar to wisps of lamb wool) clinging to the slopes as the ascent continues upward. 
    Until finally another small body of water presents itself hidden in a secluded valley. It is also a reservoir providing life to the surrounding area. Manmade dams command the water to provide nourishment to those below. Large puddles along the road welcome travelers - and mud with it. But this does not in any way diminish the awe inspiring view of a pool reflecting one of nature’s unique skylines. The parking lot is situated with the perfect scene across the water towards the alpine ridge challenging those of the old continent in majesty and awe. There are various paths to explore that lead nowhere. But nowhere is not the destination today. The river to cross over to the other side of the lake is higher than normal and so the adventurous brave a log bridge across and take the leisurely stroll alongside the lake. Stones skip. Children laugh. Dogs splash in the shallows. Fish avoid lures and lines. Clouds give way to a warm sun that forces the removal of outerwear…t-shirts are more than enough today. The colors up here are not wide in variance (similar to the rocks below) but shades of the dominant one are limitless. Dark, deep greens from the water to the firs. Light green leaves on the aspens and the bushes in the marsh. It would almost seem there is every color in the rainbow with such variety as there is always something new and different with each look. 
    The walk is not hard. It is not meant to be. It is not a race. It is not a hike. It is a joy in the journey moment. With furry children and someone you may care deeply about. Talk or don’t talk and the time slips by without worry or care either way. Curiosity often gets the better of the pups that wander also. One in particular takes the most effort and does his best to disrupt the serenity of an early evening meditation. Unfortunately the uneven ellipse of the lake’s circumference does not continue on indefinitely. Photos are taken. And the means of transportation is loaded up again as the wanderers decide to accept responsibility and head home. Work is tomorrow. Life rolls on. These moments are the tragically few and far between. But they are always there for us. Calling us back to where we long to be. We wait. We anticipate. And enjoy it. And remember it. And experience it once more.  

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