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In the thread about Heaven not being a beaurocracy, Silent Dawning made a comment about rules and micro-managing not applying when everyone is experienced enough to perform their own tasks in a successful, competent manner. Buttars then said the following: Quote:I figured we would all know what we should be doing, and because we are perfect, we would do it. I guess that would be my heaven because I REALLY don’t like to be micro-managed.
As I read those comments again, something hit me HARD that I want to share here. It is quite simple, but I think it is profound, nonetheless:
Our own individual lives – and our family lives – and our church lives – and our community lives – and all other aspects of our lives can be “heavenly” (or “heaven on earth”) if we feel free and comfortable within each of those spheres. By “free” I don’t mean sharing anything at any time, but rather able to choose freely what to do and say and be; by “comfortable” I don’t mean totally at ease, but rather happy generally with myself and my life within the circumstances of my life as they are.
In my own case, my life is heavenly in most ways. I am comfortable and feel free within my own individual life; I am comfortable and feel free within my family; I am comfortable and feel free within my church life; etc. Of course, there are things that would change in what I perceive to be the ideal, but I am comfortable and feel free from micro-managing to a large degree.
My work life is different right now. It is a much more micro-managing and more restrictive (less freeing and empowering) environment; thus, it is less “heavenly” and more difficult. I’m working on that – which leads to . . .
The final point, however, is that there are elements of micro-managing in my family and church lives. I simply have chosen to accept their existence as part of being able to be part of a family (marriage) I adore and a church with which I want to be associated. I have eliminated much of the micro-management that many find in the Church simply by choosing to ignore it without making huge waves –
just going about my business in the way that makes the most sense to me without challenging others about it.If someone wants me, they get me. In other words, I have created my own heaven by building it myself.Once I stopped trying to rely on others to build it for me (a form of reliance on micro-managing), I was free to build it myself. So, my mansion might look quite different than many others, but I’m happy and at peace because it’s mine – and because I built it among people I really do love.
Soon you guys are going to think me the most agreeable person ever because I think that you are all correct in everything you say! 
Within this past week I have found such peace in finding that I can still be a good person and not have to do everything the way someone else thinks it should be done (micro managed in a church sense).
This is so good for me because it has made my life easier and made it more “heavenly”. I actually feel like I can be a more effective mom to my kids now because of this. And that alone is a heavenly feeling!
Good thoughts. It makes me wonder if Heaven will be an absence of all the ills and imperfections we have in this life, or if it is similar to this life where opposition exists, but we have love and God-like qualities to find peace and joy despite circumstances. I have always believed in the Utopian idea of heaven without evils or imperfections…but if Ray is right, we can create heaven in our current circumstances…who knows what that means about how it will be in the eternities?
Amen, Ray. Great thoughts! I have also been reflecting on the peace I feel in my life, because
I have accepted ownership of it. There is something so empowering (and necessary in a fulfilling life!) about figuring out what we believe, how we want to live, and how we want to interact with others. I am grateful you have found that balance, and pray that we can help as many as possible do the same thing. You provide a great example in your relationship with the Church, Ray… I love the idea of making it our own, living it as we feel is best, without making a big deal of it.
Quote:who knows what that means about how it will be in the eternities?
Heber, one of the things about the concept of eternity in Mormonism that is radically different than any other Christian theology – and is one of my favorite aspects, frankly – is the idea that “there must needs be opposition in ALL things”.
I know that can be discouraging to some people who just want to rest from all their cares and troubles, but I just can’t accept eternal laziness with no opposition or personal growth and effort. (the sitting around on a cloud forever playing a harp and telling GOD how wonderful he is – pardon the snark, but I just don’t like that image) To me, that would be Hell. Thus, I believe we become “heavenly” by being able to create “an internal heaven” no matter our external curcumstances. Iow, we become Celestial Beings – to put it into more traditional Mormon verbiage. Ioow (in other, other words), “heaven” is not a place or destination; it’s a condition – just like “God” is not a person or Being; it’s a condition.
Please, nobody take that as a beating stick to add guilt if you aren’t heavenly inside.I don’t mean that at all. I just believe it can be an empowering goal and process – as long as it’s understood upfront that not being there is FINE. Again, it’s the effort and the journey, not the current situation. It’s much like the Elizabeth Edwards quote I posted recently, which I would recommend reading if you haven’t already.
Old-Timer wrote:“heaven” is not a place or destination; it’s a condition – just like “God” is not a person or Being; it’s a condition.
That’s deep. I would agree that concepts and qualities of “God” as we worship him are a condition, as I also believe in a Heavenly Father who is a perfect being. In other other other words
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