I read Emma’s patriarchal blessing. I couldn’t believe it.

How could this be?

Emma was 16. She has been living in a state institution for about 3. Her IQ was normal but she had significant emotional and behavioral problems. Unfortunately medical and psychological interventions had not worked.

I had reviewed the two thick binders documenting Emma’s condition and previous treatment. I administered still additional psychological testing.

My recommendation…

Keep Emma in the state mental institution.

She would likely never leave. 

BUT,

Emma’s mom, a single parent, let me read Emma’s patriarchal blessing. As I recall the blessing stated,

“You’ll reach the measure of your creation…. You’ll accomplish everything the Savior intended for you to accomplish here on earth… you will return to live with your Father in Heaven…”

How could Emma reach the “measure of her creation;” AND “accomplish all the goals the Savior had for her;” AND “return to live with her Father in Heaven” – AND – be locked up in mental institution her entire earthly life?

I didn’t understand then, but I understand now.

MY “measure of creation” for Emma was for her to marry a return missionary in the temple, have 5 kids, be the relief society president, etc etc
GOD’S “measure of creation” for Emma was very different.

EVERY ELEMENT OF
CREATION HAS A MEASURE
One of the most important truths is EVERYTHING God created was for a purpose and has a measure of creation….

For example, check out the “measure of creation” for
– the earth (See: D & C 88:25)
– the Church (See: “Its Not Good for Man or Woman to be Alone,” Ensign, Oct 2001)
– a bag of sand …

Heber C. Kimball, an early Church leader, suggested that even “sand” can be successful at its measure of creation. He stated the purpose of sand is to “keep the mighty ocean in its place.” (Iniquity, Journal of Discourses, Volume III, pg. 124.) He explained that without sand the oceans would wear away the coastal land over time.

Every animal, every plant, every human, etc etc has a “measure of creation.”

NO TWO CREATIONS HAVE THE SAME MEASURES
Every one of us has been designed with a unique divine role and mission in mind.
No two patriarchal blessings are exactly the same.
In part, differences exist because:

• Each of us have different “Gifts” and “Blessings”  AND
• Each of us have some type of limitations in our “Physical Body.” (No physical body is perfect.)

FOR ALL DO NOT HAVE EVERY GIFT GIVEN UNTO THEM (D&C 46:11)
According to D & C 46: 11-26 TO SOME IT IS GIVEN
– To know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God
– To believe on their words
– To have faith to be healed
– To have faith to heal
– The working of miracles
– To prophesy
– The discerning of spirits
– To speak with tongues
– The interpretation of tongues
etc etc
THUS, TO SOME IT IS NOT GIVEN!

FOR ALL DO HAVE SOME LIMITATIONS OF THEIR “PHYSCIAL BODY”
While we are here on earth, our Spiritual Body and Mind can be limited or restricted by our imperfections of the Physical Body- like in the case of Emma and her serious mental illness.

“Freedom may be qualified or taken away by physical laws, including the physical limitations with which we are born…” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Free Agency and Freedom” Brigham Young University on 11 October 1987.)

To learn more about how the “spirit body” and “mind” can be limited by our “physical body” read the blog: “FREE-According to the Flesh.”

DO THE BEST WE CAN
“Men will be held accountable for the things which they have and NOT for the things they have not. … All the light and intelligence communicated to them from their beneficent creator, whether it is much or little, by the same they in justice will be judged, and … they are required to yield obedience and improve upon that and that only which is given ….” (Joseph Smith, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith 2007, pg 405)

Look at these quotes:

“The Lord doesn’t expect us to work harder than we are able. He doesn’t (nor should we) compare our efforts to those of others. Our Heavenly Father asks only that we do the best we can—that we work according to our full capacity, however great or small that may be.” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Two Principles for Any Economy,” Conference Oct 2009).

“If we are doing the best we can, we should not become discouraged.” (Boyd K. Packer. “A Defense and a Refuge” Conference Oct 2006)

“We don’t have to be perfect today. We don’t have to be better than someone else. All we have to do is to be the very best we can.” (Joseph B. Wirthlin, “One Step After Another“, Conference Oct 2001)

Finally,

“In the judgment with which we shall be judged, all the conditions and circumstances of our lives shall be considered. The inborn tendencies due to heredity, the effect of environment whether conducive to good or evil, the wholesome teachings of youth, or the absence of good instruction – – these and all other contributory elements must be taken into account in the rendering of a just verdict as to the soul’s guilt or innocence.” (James Talmage, Jesus the Christ, pp 29)

MEASURE OF CREATION
So, IF all we have to do is the best we can –and the Atonement makes up the difference – than
…..Emma
and
…..others with serious mental illness like Emma,
and
…..perhaps even some: with drug addictions, in prison, who are homeless, with Down’s Syndrome, addicted to porn, or etc etc,
and
…..THEY ARE DOING THEIR BEST
and
…..although these “persons” may be perceived by US as failures
and
…..believed by us NOT to have met the “measure of creation” WE WOULD HAVE FOR THEM
and
…..as a result surely  we believe, these “persons” are doomed to a lower Kingdom of God – and perhaps even outer darkness.

We may be very surprised who is in the Celestial Kingdom.

I am driven to believe, that any soul that

“hath filled the measure of its creation, it shall be crowned with glory,

Simple.
Emma’s patriarchal blessing now makes perfect sense. Emma does her best. The Atonement makes up the difference. She receives the Crown of Glory.

BOTTOM LINE
In Believing Christ: A Practical Approach to the Atonement  (BYU Speeches May 29, 1990) Stephen E Robinson says:

CHALLENGE
Memorize Joseph B. Wirthlin’s statement:  “I don’t have to be perfect today. I don’t have to be better than someone else. All I have to do is to be the very best I can.”.

Your life will never be the same as you

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