Steer Next to the Steakhouse and Crabs in a Bucket

And ye are called to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect; for mine elect hear my voice and harden not their hearts.  Doctrine and Covenants 29:7

Sunday, Patrick Kearon, of the First Quorum of the Seventy, spoke to us via live feed at the Chorley Stake building.  It seemed appropriate that he be the first speaker, since he was born in Carlisle, England and all of us in England like to hear a true Brit.  More importantly, his message carried impact.

First, he related that he'd eaten at a steakhouse not long ago and noticed a steer standing in the field next to it.  He wondered if the steer knew how close he might be to being barbecued.  He cautioned us not to become immune to danger next to us that could ultimately be the end of our spiritual life.  He suggested we surround ourselves with things that help us stay close to the Savior.

It looks like he is closing his eyes to things around him--as in, "What you don't know won't hurt you?"

 He asked us to examine ourselves to see what spiritually dangerous situations to which we might be tethered and admonished us to seek for the light of truth and not "stand by, "chewing our cud, and feed comfortably next to danger."  (Hum, food for thought--pun : D )


Elder Kearon also used the crab allegory, reminding us that everyone around us may be used to us being "down in the bucket" with them, but we need to fight off those trying to drag us down and believe in ourselves and have faith in what we can become.  We can change.  When we are strong, we need to reach out and help others to see their divine destiny.

I know, these are crabs in a basket.  Just wanted to see if you noticed.

Crab mentality

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Crab mentality, sometimes referred to as crabs in the bucket, describes a way of thinking best described by the phrase "if I can't have it, neither should you." The metaphor refers to a pot of crabs. Individually, the crab could easily escape from the pot, but instead, they grab at 
each other in a useless "king of the hill" competition (or sabotage) which prevents any from escaping and ensures their collective demise. The analogy in human behavior is that of a group that will attempt to "pull down" (negate or diminish the importance of) any member who achieves success beyond the others, out of jealousy, conspiracy or  competitive feelings. This term is broadly associated with short-sighted, non-constructive thinking rather than a unified, long-term, constructive mentality. It is also often used colloquially in reference to individuals or communities attempting to "escape" a so-called "underprivileged life," but kept from doing so by others attempting to ride upon their coat-tails or those who simply resent their success.

Many people in the world are struggling with different trials such as mental illness, divorce, 

loss of loved ones, and a variety of other difficult things.  Elder Kearon assures us God does 
not leave us to fight alone.  He is there allowing us to be refined.  He does not push us 
through these things to just test us, but to help us become stronger, closer to him, and to 
reach our full potential.

Our trials do not have to stand in the way of our progression, but, instead, they can serve as 
stepping stones to spiritual progress.