Should I Be a Belgian Lawyer?
Today is, thus far, the only day in my life I have ever wished I were a European lawyer. I read the Times and Seasons account of the legal difficulties faced by a young girl in Belgium (Adelbert Denaux Alessia) (link formatted to aid search aggregation) and I wished with all my heart that there were something I could do to have a larger effect in the world than in my own little sphere of influence. It is a desire to truly help, not some visions-of-grandeur thing.
I've talked with my wife many times about someday living somewhere where our talents could really make a difference to a community. Living on the Wasatch Front as we do, we are surrounded by strong members of the church. While our contributions are valuable and we derive great joy by our participation, I wonder if the Lord hopes we'll reach out and do something more.
On my mission in Oklahoma, I sometimes sensed little bits of resentment from members who had lived in the area all their life, when a "Utah Mormon", usually with a BYU background, was placed in a position of responsibility. I wouldn't want to be in a position where people would resent me. But I want so badly to help and make a difference. My desire is powerfully tempered by the recognition of my many limitations and weaknesses.
What will be the result of these tuggings I've felt in my heart from time to time? I don't speak a foreign language; moving to Belgium and taking up the study of law probably isn't a good option. How can I use my skills to advance the work of the Lord? To me, improving the everyday lives of people is hand-in-hand with teaching the gospel. Maybe my method of reaching out will be technology related.
My goal for now is to start locally. I am sure there are people here in my own community that I could do more to help. Maybe I should be content to stay in Utah, working at a job I love at BYU, and try to be a force for good here. But still there is that tugging...
Am I confusing a desire to help on a larger scale with a desire to help in faraway places? Perhaps. Yet it seems so much "help" is available in Utah already that perhaps it is needed elsewhere in the world more.
I've talked with my wife many times about someday living somewhere where our talents could really make a difference to a community. Living on the Wasatch Front as we do, we are surrounded by strong members of the church. While our contributions are valuable and we derive great joy by our participation, I wonder if the Lord hopes we'll reach out and do something more.
On my mission in Oklahoma, I sometimes sensed little bits of resentment from members who had lived in the area all their life, when a "Utah Mormon", usually with a BYU background, was placed in a position of responsibility. I wouldn't want to be in a position where people would resent me. But I want so badly to help and make a difference. My desire is powerfully tempered by the recognition of my many limitations and weaknesses.
What will be the result of these tuggings I've felt in my heart from time to time? I don't speak a foreign language; moving to Belgium and taking up the study of law probably isn't a good option. How can I use my skills to advance the work of the Lord? To me, improving the everyday lives of people is hand-in-hand with teaching the gospel. Maybe my method of reaching out will be technology related.
My goal for now is to start locally. I am sure there are people here in my own community that I could do more to help. Maybe I should be content to stay in Utah, working at a job I love at BYU, and try to be a force for good here. But still there is that tugging...
Am I confusing a desire to help on a larger scale with a desire to help in faraway places? Perhaps. Yet it seems so much "help" is available in Utah already that perhaps it is needed elsewhere in the world more.
posted by Bradley Ross at
1:43 AM
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