If I were a rich man

October 26, 2014

It is very intriguing to go back in one’s mind and select out the times and places where we made decisions, intentionally or otherwise which made the path of our existence what it has become, and by extension who we are today. Like so many youth today I was not real excited about who I was. I had fears that people didn’t like me because of my Hispanic looks and genealogy. I had fears that those of my mother’s generation who had remained with the Catholic Church thought we, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints were not Christians. In fact, once when I was about seventeen my Aunt Marian got my mother aside and asked her if she still believed in Jesus Christ after her conversion. They both laughed with relief when my mother was able to restate the name of the Church, showing how we take his name. I was afraid girls wouldn’t like me because I stuttered, because I looked like a hick, and because that is what boys who are shy as I was think girls will think of them. Last week I shared a story about my spilling oil on a girl at a bus stop. Jean, my wife, chided me for thinking I was real cute and being a smarty about the incident. No, I was just being a fourteen year old and experimenting with life’s toys.

Each experience we have in life changes us; even if ever so slightly, as we mature and hopefully gain wisdom. Because I was color blind, dyslectic, a stuttered, was concerned about what people thought about me, and all the other things mortals concern themselves about, I learned over time that those things had absolutely nothing to do with who I was, what I would become, or how others would perceive me. I learned that I had a loving family, an absolutely fabulous country in which to enjoy all the freedoms God has given to man, and most importantly, I had God the Eternal Father, his Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost on my team to bless me, encourage me, and nudge me back to the Spirit of Christ. I have learned that we have a mission to fulfill while in mortality. One of the most important things we can do is look to the Holy Ghost for inspiration offering us opportunities to share our love, our time, talents, and all that we have in helping to provide assistance for others of God’s children. That is our mission. If we get rich, if we are born good looking, if we have all the talent of the most prominent scientist, or writer and do not following the promptings to find and share with those less fortunate, we have failed our mission.

Fiddler on the roof includes a song talking about what life would be like if he was a rich man. Undoubtedly this thought has spawned thinking by most of mankind and lead to diverse activities necessary to achieve that mythical goal. The Fountain of Youth, the Seven Cities of Cibola and millions of other equally elusive legends have intrigued and beguiled humans over the years. The ironic twist to this never-ending drama is that regardless of the amount of temporal wealth one has, it is never enough. There is always a new challenge, a new horizon, another fountain of youth. The happiness, satisfaction, success, prestige, and acknowledgement is never enough and frustration, disappointment, and losses of family and friends become the only change in life.

Recently Jon Huntsman, Sr. was interviewed by Glenn Beck regarding his new book, “Barefoot to Billionaire”. The most important thing in his life is passing it on; in providing for future generations wishing to eliminate demons like Cancer. He has already given over one billion dollars to cancer research and intends to die broke after having given away all his temporal wealth. Why? His rewards from this life are his wife, his children, his God, and his love for all mankind. He is indeed a man who has reached the pinnacle of success - he has, on Maslow’s hierarchy, achieved complete understanding of the role of self actualization and God’s love for him and all mankind. With everything money can buy, his goal is no different than that of Jesus Christ who told us to Love God, love our fellowmen; and love ourselves.

If we want personal peace, understanding of God, satisfaction that we have achieved our mortal goal, we need to make service, charity, and sharing become one of our highest priorities.

God bless each of us as we strive to make life just a little better for those around us.

Duane Jacobs, grandfather, father, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend