“Our Finest Gifts We Bring!”

We love to receive, but giving is somewhat difficult. President Thomas S. Monson said of Christmas: “What did you get for Christmas? The gifts acquired are fleeting. Dolls break, dresses wear out, and fun games become boring. If we change but one word in our Christmas question, the outcome is vastly different. “What did you give for Christmas?” prompts stimulating thought and cause tender feelings to well up and memory’s fires to glow ever brighter.” “Come, they told me, pa rum pa pum pum…A newborn King to see, pa rum pa pum pum. Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pa pum pum…To lay before the King, pa rum pa pum pum…So to honor him, pa rum pa pum pum…When we come!” Many years ago, when I was 10: “I hid in the bush with my father, I saw in him the father that I wanted to be. We had just knocked and ran as we dropped off some Christmas goodies to a needy family. No one asked him, but he did. I can, even to this day vividly remember the feelings I felt and the spirit of joy that engulfed my heart. In the car on the way home he said: “Son that is how you give a gift to the Baby Jesus!”

 

A moment of silence is the expression for a period of quiet contemplation, prayer, reflection, or meditation. It is a gesture of respect, honour or in mourning for those who have died recently or as part of a tragic historical event or to remember sacrifices. Silent prayer and worship, hats removed, refrain from speaking or moving, heads bowed is a group practice by nations or countries or religions…also a time to reflect, to honour, to pray and to commit oneself to a higher standard, ideal or moral ground. Aaron taught a king “…the suffering and death of (Jesus) Christ atone for their sins…that he breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory, and the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory.” The king then asked “What shall I do that I may have this eternal life…to be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy? I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom.” I once asked my dad “How many prayers do you say in a day?”…his answer “One…as soon as I wake, I kneel in prayer and then my heart and mind continues all day to be grateful in respect and in remembrance of his sacrifice and love for me personally.” 

 

“Little baby, pa rum pa pum pum…I am a poor boy too, pa rum pa pum pum…I have no gift to bring, pa rum pa pum pum…That's fit to give our King, pa rum pa pum pum, Rum pa pum pum, rum pa pum pum. Shall I play for You, pa rum pa pum pum…On my drum…On my drum. So I play my drum for Him…” Here is our Christmas tradition: “On the first Monday of every December at FHE, Hana would get out a list and ask us “Who would you like to make some goodies for this Christmas?” We would make a list and on the next few Mondays before Christmas we would help mum make delicious goodies and wrapped them carefully. We would then get into the car and either knock and run or sing Christmas carols at their front doors. We cannot speak for these families, but we know how we felt, the joy it brought each of us as we sang and listened to Christmas carols on the way to the next home. Those moments can never be replaced!” “Mary nodded, pa rum pa pum pum. The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pa pum pum. I played my drum for Him, pa rum pa pum pum. I played my best for Him, pa rum pa pum pum, Rum pa pum pum, rum pa pum pum. Then He smiled at me, pa rum pa pum pum. Me and my drum…When we come…!”

 

President Monson taught: “…true love is a reflection of the Savior’s love. In December of each year we call it the Christmas spirit. You can hear it. You can see it. You can feel it. There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus the Christ. It is the time to love the Lord, our God, with all our heart...It is well to remember that he who gives money gives much; he who gives time gives more; but he who gives of himself gives all.” President David O. McKay said: “True happiness comes only by making others happy. … The [spirit of] Christmas … makes our hearts glow in brotherly love and friendship and prompts us to kind deeds of service. It is the spirit of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

 

In this time of great joy and celebration throughout the world, we should always remember that Christmas is about Christ and his commitment to fulfil an arduous mission “I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me…I have glorified thee on earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do…I come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” On the third day, two angels proclaimed “Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!” In our hurrying and worrying…we need to stop, to be grateful, to reflect, to honour, to bow our heads and commit our hearts and minds to always give a “moment of silence” or  “give the gift or our hearts” for the redeemer, the counsellor, the mighty God, Emmanuel, the King of Kings, the Christ child born on a silent night in Bethlehem. A moment of Silence please…because of the Christ child, born in a manger, crucified, then resurrected, he lives and so because of him, all mankind has been given the opportunity to have everlasting and eternal life, joy, happiness and peace. “Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pa pum pum…To lay before the King, pa rum pa pum pum…So to honor him, pa rum pa pum pum…When we come!”

 

Love, love, love,

 

Spiritual References: Luke 1, 2, 24, John 17: 4-15, 19, 20, Alma 19, 24, Wikipedia, President Monson’s 2012 Christmas Devotional: “Christmas is Love!” 2 Chronicles 15:7, Psalms 28:4, Micah 6:8, Mathew 5:16, 7:12, 16, 13:23, 25: 33-40, John 3:21, 9:4, Galation 6:4, 7, Ephesians 2:10, 5:9, 2 Timothy 3:17, James 1:22, 27, Hebrew 13:3, Revelations 2:23, Jacob 2:19, Mosiah 2:17, Alma 34:28, D&C 42:38, 64:33, 105:24, 112:34, AoF 13, Moses 7:56-57, President Thomas S. Monson “Christmas Gifts, Christmas Blessings”, Kathrine K. Davis’ “Little Drummer Boy!”

“Our Primary Colours”

There is a Primary song that sings: “Our Primary colours are one, two, three red, yellow and blue. Each one has a message for you and me. Each is a symbol true! Red is for “Courage” to do what is right, yellow for “Service” from morning till night. Blue is for “Truth” in our thought and our deeds. We will be happy when this is our creed.” With that song in mind, I am going to match a colour with superlatives to describe each member of my family. I hope they inspire some life and colour into your lives. When I was young my parents taught me that RED stood for COURAGE or for someone who is COURAGEOUS, VALIANT, HEROIC, DETERMINED, GALLANT, BRAVE and FEARLESS. These words describe Isaiah perfectly, even though he has Down syndrome; that has not deterred him from qualifying for the NSW state swimming championships 4 years in a row.

The colour YELLOW reminds me of Ariana who amidst all of her disabilities, now with life threatening seizures, she is HAPPY, CHEERFUL, CONTENT, BRIGHT and ENERGETIC, and even though she is autistic and blind, she has a CLARITY, INTENSITY, VITALITY and OOMPH that many of us do not possess. She is our sunshine and light that often illuminates the pathway for our family’s future. PINK is my favourite colour, why? It invokes the characteristics of being BOLD, AMAZING, DARING and WILLING to SUBMIT to the will of the Supreme. This colour also reminds me of my wife Leihana and her TENDERNESS, SENSITIVITY, CARING and her LOVE unfeign. Her favourite colour is BLUE which also describes her personality, whilst in the midst of many different challenges; she gave birth to 2 beautiful angels who are disabled. To us as a family, she is our CONQUEROR, STRONG, DURABLE, RESILIENT, ROBUST, STURDY, SERVES, LOYAL and very SOLID.

The colour GREEN is Fale Junior’s favourite which also describes him perfectly. He is a GOGETTER, RISK-TAKER, CONFIDENT and full of HOPE. He always takes the opportunity to be involved, even if his peers do not. The other superlatives that come to mind are GO, FREEDOM, SUCCESS, PROSPERITY, FRUITFUL and BOUNTIFUL. The colour WHITE really represents my 13 year old daughter Kiana and the standards she holds dear and her character of being WELL-MANNERED, TRANSPARENT, SPARKLING, CLEAN, PURE, INNOCENT, BLAMELESS and GUILTLESS and full of INTEGRITY. The colour PURPLE reminds me of each of the children and I guess many of you and what you may each potentially achieve. It is a colour that is often paired with HONOUR, HERITAGE, PRIDE, IMPORTANCE, SIGNIFICANCE, PROMINENCE, ROYALTY and NOBILITY.

And finally, Viliami, BLACK has often been misrepresented with negative connotations. Not in this case, as the oldest child, he has had many challenges which at times seemed dark or (the stereo type) “black”, yet he remained TRUE, HONEST, AUTHENTIC, POWERFUL and COMMANDING in his FOCUS and FAITHFUL in his COMMITMENT in defending his standards, ideals and very GIFTED, CLEVER and SMART in finding solutions for himself and his younger Down syndrome brother and blind, autistic sister. So, what colour and or colours describes you and each member of your family? What emotions do they represent and inspire in your lives? Are they one of Courage, Honesty, Nobility, Innocence, Happiness, Faith, Strength or CHARITY? They each have a specific meaning and purpose that describe who we each are as human beings and what we all hope to become. Why not put a little colour into your lives; find a colour, match each family member to it, and then use the above superlatives to describe who they are. Each one has a purpose, an importance, significance and a heritage that is from a heavenly heritage, nobility and royalty.

Love, love, love,

Spiritual References: Ezra 3:12, Job 28:27, Psalms 16:11, 30:5, 37:11, Proverbs 23:31, Ezekiel 1:4, 8:2, Isaiah 64:4, 1 Corinthians 2:9-12, Acts 17:29, Romans 8:17, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 2 Nephi 2:10-13, 25 “Men are that they might have joy” D&C 76:10, 88:20-22, 25-26, Moses 4:28, 5:10, Abraham 3:22, 23-27, Hymn 226 “Improve the Shining Moments”, 227, 228, 229, 230, Children’s Songbook, 228, 258 “Our Primary Colours” 

“They Hunger After Righteousness"

Amos who saw our day over 2,500 years ago prophesied “…they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord…” The Lord expanded this truth to the Jews, but added that there is a spiritual reward: “Blessed are they which do hunger after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” And to the Ancient Americans he added a gift that would not only feed them the truth, but it will consistently take away the hunger “for they shall be filled…with the Holy Ghost.” It is the Holy Ghost that fills the hunger, but only through personal righteousness, without that we are wandering lost without direction and vision.  In the midst of a world that is in darkness with the philosophy of men, Amos wrote “I will darken the earth in the clear day”…mankind are hungering and thirsting for righteousness and for the word of the Lord. To the Samaritan woman, the Lord taught: “…whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst…a well of water springing up unto everlasting life.” and “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger…”

What many spiritually hungry individuals do not understand is that the hunger can only be satisfied by the simple principle, humility or as the Lord taught “For I will not accept none of your sacrifices…ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh…I will baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost.” After attending the YW’s “New Beginnings Night” in 2013, Kiana (then 11yrs) taught us in our family scripture reading that: “these are my young women’s values”: “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.”

Our sons and daughters, youth, primary children and all human beings who have ever lived or are living…when moved upon by the Holy Ghost will recognise truth. We cannot hide or drip feed them anymore. Therefore parents, leaders, teachers, priesthood holders, we must constantly and consistently watch, allow them to learn for themselves and then teach diligence, when diligence is learned, then add virtue, when virtue is learned add knowledge that gives wisdom and so forth until all those young women/men values are embedded in not only theirs, but also into our hearts, minds and spirit. President J. Reuben Clark Jr. taught “Youth are hungry for the truth and for the things of the Spirit and eager to learn the gospel. They want it straight, undiluted. They want to know about our beliefs; they want to gain testimonies of the truth. They are not now doubters, but inquirers and seekers of the truth.” Stop diluting the truth with half-truths…that is Satan’s MO, but it must not be ours. We need to provide them with the truth without watering down the principles and standards of God. Petting is NOT ok when dating, using some swear words here and there is NOT ok to use, God lives and is not dead and if they are to go on a mission, don’t give them incentives, they must find their own foundation and purpose to go, otherwise they will flounder and blame you for every mistake they make.

To Simon Peter the Lord warned “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you…But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail thee not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” Our first and foremost call in this life is “To Bring Souls unto Christ” or “To strengthen our brethren/sisters”.  Many are caught in the chains of darkness, doubt, fear, they are timid, inhibited, and are constantly paralysed by the world and the adversary. There has never been a greater need and time for us as parents, leaders, teacher and those whom are fully converted…to teach pure doctrine and establish God’s eternal and undefiled truth, laws and commandments within our community, within our youth, and most importantly within the walls of our homes. Their souls, not only children, but each and every human soul on this earth whether they recognise it or not, they are hungering and thirsting after righteousness and the values, principles, laws, commandments and truths established by God. Teach them the truth, straight and undiluted.

Love, love, love,

Spiritual References: Numbers 14:24, Deuteronomy 6:5, 10:12, 26:16, Joshua 24:15, 1 Samuel 3:1, Proverbs 21:21, Jeremiah 29:13, Amos 8: 4-14, Mathew 5, Mark 12:30, Luke 22: 26-34, John 4, 6, 21: 15-17, James 5:16, 1 Peter 1: 2-9, 1 Nephi 1:5-8, 2 Nephi 9:51, Enos 1:4, Omni 1:26, Mosiah 3:19, 3 Nephi 9:19-20, 12, Moroni 10:32, TG Spirituality, Access to God

Inspired by Isaiah & Invented by Viliami

LaceVault is Born

Each morning as the kids were getting ready for school, we would ask Viliami to tie his younger brother, Isaiah’s (who has Down syndrome), shoelaces. One day, at 13 years old, Viliami asked “Is there a way for Isaiah to tie his own shoelaces?” He may have had some selfish reasons, but knowing Viliami’s heart, he was determined to find a solution.  Now, we know that because of his love for Isaiah, he was given the inspiration for what we now know as the Lacevault, a simple but effective way to tighten shoelaces.  After many discussions, Viliami and I finally put the drawings on paper and wanting to know if the idea was viable and marketable, I approached PacBrand. I also sat down with many other Retail Outlets. Each one was positive and awaiting manufacturing to begin their initial orders. They even advised me that it wasn’t just for the disabled, but a product for everyone and that it may even become a trend. Who am I to argue with experts?

Designs… Designs… Designs…

In the meantime, we began to develop it, in fact 35 different designs and variations. We’ve spent a lot of money on designers, prototypes and tests. A fantastic product will absolutely fail as soon as it hits the market place, if it does not look, work or function the way it was designed. Many designers were frustrated until the current one finally perfected it.  The protection of the IP was equally challenging as we have done everything to protect each design, upgrades and functionalities and so forth, which has come at a cost financially and personally to our family. It has been an enormous challenge, so…good luck to anyone trying to copy the Lacevault!

Clever & Cheeky

Viliami is quite a clever young man, humble about this accomplishment; he also is a high achiever in his educational pursuits. He is currently sitting his HSC and still focused even though Lacevault is beginning. His attention to his future and academic excellence is absolutely amazing, especially to us as parents.  Isaiah on the other hand is a cheeky young man who has a thirst for life, to achieve, to challenge, to become his very best.  He often stands in front of us in his superman pose, letting us know that he is super. We giggle each time, but are amazed by his vigour and love for life. These two young men have formed an amazing partnership of clever ideas, brotherly love and whatever success Lacevault will achieve will be because of the foundation they’ve built.

For Ariana & Others In Need

We have 3 other children, Kiana, a 13 year old girl who loves to sing, very sporty with self-control, knowledge and maturity that many adults wish they had.  Fale Junior, a 10 year old boy who is very smart. He too someday will create something special to not only help his two disabled siblings, but for many others. Finally, Ariana…you know her story from our last blog, videos and Facebook posts. How could we just raise the funds for just her?  No, this has become bigger than what we ourselves may have realised.  The results and cure will benefit thousands if not millions who are suffering from this fatal condition.  We’ve had countless investors approach us, but we have turned them away simply because the Lacevaults’ purpose does not involve an individual or a corporation’s thirst for wealth. Ariana’s newly developed condition dictates that we focus on a specific purpose; tests, surgeries, experiments, researches and provide Ariana and many others with a better quality of life.

The Train Is Leaving

To each of you who have ordered and stood behind us, either for Ariana or simply because you love the product, you are going to be rewarded at each phase of this amazing journey.  So Lacevaulters, board the Lacevault train and join the evolution that was invented by a 13 year old boy, inspired by his brother who has Down syndrome to help their beautiful, blind, autistic, little sister to find a cure for a lethal foe, seizures.


With Much Love and Appreciation,
Fale, Leihana, Viliami, Isaiah, Kiana, Fale and Ariana Mahe

“Rain, Rain; Go Away”

There’s a nursery rhyme that many say when it is rainy day; “Rain, rain; go away!” Is it simply about the rain going away or is it about something totally different? The origin dates back to Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603), during this period there was constant rivalry between Spain and England thereby the launch of the Spanish Armada in 1588. The Armada was led by Duke of Medina Sedonia and the fleet numbered over 130 ships. The English fleet, under Admiral Lord Howard, totalled 34 small Navy vessels and 163 armed merchant ships. The great Spanish Armada was defeated; only 65 Spanish galleons and 10,000 men returned to Spain. Thus the nursery rhyme was sung by children throughout England as a celebration of overcoming and also some cheeky referencing to the Spanish empire’s weakness and English’s strength to overcome the mighty armies. It has never been about rain, but since then, people have used this rhyme as a happy chant for overcoming the daily battles they each face…and to keep the rain away?!?

In the recent 2014 General Conference, President Thomas S. Monson spoke of a once indestructible ship, the Bismarck. After sinking 37 English battle ships until a torpedo scored a lucky hit, the rudders were damaged and the great ship could only travel in circles, it could not reach a safe haven and was eventually sunk by the enemy ships. President Monson then directed:  “And so it is with man. The thrust of the turbines and the power of the propellers are useless without that sense of direction, that harnessing of the energy, that directing of the power provided by the rudder, hidden from view, relatively small in size but absolutely essential in function.” Without the guiding light of God’s commandments, we are lost without a cause, but he created us for better things. “Like the Bismarck, each of us is a miracle of engineering. Our creation, however, was not limited by human genius. Man can devise the most complex machines but cannot give them life or bestow upon them the powers of reason and judgment. These are divine gifts, bestowed only by God.”

The rage of the unseen enemy is unyielding and descends on us each day as we open our eyes…their work begin through lies like: “There is no way you can overcome the trials of this day. You will never overcome the mounting sadness that awaits you. Who are you to think that you can? It is absolutely useless to resist…so live among the world, you’ll be better off. Look, he is a sinner, but he drives an expensive car and lives in a big house.” Little by little, bit by bit, the bullets will come flying, until one day a torpedo will eventually score a lucky hit. Some will give up, but the majority will begin to wander in circles, aimlessly without a purpose and never reaching the safe haven of peace. President Monson gives the remedy: “As we walk the pathway of life, He provides a clear map and points the way toward our desired destination. He cautions: beware the detours, the pitfalls, the traps. We cannot be deceived by those who would lead us astray, those clever pied pipers of sin beckoning here or there. Instead, we pause to pray; we listen to that still, small voice which speaks to the depths of our souls the Master’s gentle invitation, “Come, follow me.”

I love this nursery rhyme my mother use to sing to me when I felt sad or down “Incy Wincy spider climbed up the spout, Down came the rain and washed poor Incy out, Out came the sun and dried up all the rain, Now Incy Wincy spider went up the spout again!” Yes, it may seem insurmountable to overcome the daily struggles, challenges, tests and obstacles, but they are the stepping stones that solidify the foundation that builds us, constructs our physical, emotional and spiritual framework. The master’s voice beckons us to stand firm or as Lehi pleads: “O that thou mightest be like unto this valley, firm and steadfast, and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord.” “Rain, rain; go away” does not mean that we shoo the troubles away, but that we understand that the battles will come and we must buckle down, employ the Lord as our guide, protector and source of ultimate peace. We must live his commandments, laws, truths and principles, especially when times are at its darkest, when loads are heavy, when pressures begin to implode and hypocrisy run rampant throughout our world. His values and standards are the protective armours that cannot be broken! “…listen to that still, small voice which speaks to the depths of our souls the Master’s gentle invitation, “Come…Follow Me.”

Love, love, love,

Spiritual References: Mathew 16:24, 19:21, Mark, 8:34, 10:21, Luke 9:23, 18:22, John 21:22, 1 Nephi 2:10, Mosiah 5:15, Helaman 5:12, 15:8, 3 Nephi 6:14, Ether 4:8, 12:4, D&C 31:9, 38:22, President Thomas S. Monson 2014 October GC Talk “Guided Safely Home”, Nursery Rhymes: “Rain, rain; go away”, “Incy Wincy Spider” Hymn 116 “Come Follow Me”

 

“The Living Oracle”

President Ezra Taft Benson taught: “If you will honour (the prophet), he (The Lord) will crown you with God’s glory and bring you out victorious in spite of Satan’s fury.” The Lord speaking to the church taught: “Thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he recieveth them, walking in all holiness before me…whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same. For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good…” Elder Russel M. Nelson in this last conference taught: “If the restoration did anything, it shattered the age-old myth that God had stopped talking to his children. Nothing could be further from the truth. A prophet has stood at the head of God’s church in all dispensations, from Adam to the present day. Prophets testify of Jesus Christ – of his divinity and of his earthly mission and ministry.” And to Amos “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

The messages from the October 2014 Sunday Morning conference was clear; there is a living oracle here on earth and God continues to talk to mankind through him. It mind boggles me that Christians believe in God, but cannot grasp the fact that for God to speak to us today, it cannot be done simply by written words, there must be a mouth piece to clarify and speak God’s will. Yes, “beware of false prophets, which come in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” as Christ warned, but he continued to show us how to recognise a true prophet: “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them”. They stand alone in the midst of wickedness; they don’t buckle under the pressure of the world, Elder Nelson continued: “Imagine the privilege the Lord has given us of sustaining his prophet, whose counsel will be untainted, unmotivated by any personal aspiration, and utterly true!” Wow, imagine that…someone whose heart is totally committed to the Lord’s will?

President George Albert Smith, before he became prophet taught: “The obligation that we make when we raise our hands…is a most sacred one. It does not mean that we will go quietly on our way and be willing that the prophet of the Lord shall direct this work, but it means…that we stand behind him; we pray for him; we will defend his good name, and we will strive to carry out his instruction as the Lord shall direct.” Could that be the reason why the Lord later called him as his living oracle and prophet? Is it because the Lord saw his heart; that it was without guile or personal aspirations, but pure and holy or wholly unto God and his work? Elder Jeffrey R. Holland also spoke of another man with such a heart: “I pay a personal tribute to President Thomas Spencer Monson. I have been blessed by an association with this man for 47 years now, and the image of him I will cherish until I die is of him flying home from then–economically devastated East Germany in his house slippers because he had given away not only his second suit and his extra shirts but the very shoes from off his feet.”

Then Elder Holland quotes: “How beautiful upon the mountains, and shuffling through an airline terminal, are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace.” More than any man I know, President Monson has “done all he could” for the widow and the fatherless, the poor and the oppressed.” President Henry B. Eyring taught: “Don’t take lightly the feeling you get of love for the prophet of God. Wherever I go…members will, “When you get back…will you please tell the prophet how much we love him?” That is far more than hero worship or the feeling we sometimes have of admiring heroic figures. It is a gift from God. With it you will receive more easily the gift of confirming revelation when he speaks in his office as the Lord’s prophet. The love you feel is the love the Lord has for whoever is His spokesman.” The Lord will not leave us comfortless or clueless. President Thomas S. Monson; he speaks on the Lord’s behalf, without guile, committed to God’s will and his words are untainted, not motivated by personal aspiration and are utterly true! He is the Lord’s living Oracle, so “Come, Listen to a Prophet’s Voice”, honour his words, sustain him, pray for him, stand behind him and “He (The Lord) will crown you with his glory, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; he will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, cause the heavens to shake for your good and bring you out victorious in spite of Satan’s fury.”

Love, love, love

Spiritual References: Exodus 18:15, 2 Samuel 24:11, Isaiah 42:9, 50:10, Amos 3:7, Daniel 2:19, 1 Thessalonian 4:2, 1 John 4:1-6, 5:6, Mosiah 8:16-18, Alma 13:26, D&C 1:38-39, 20:27, 21:4-6, 25:16,42:17, Hymn page 21, President Ezra Taft. Benson “14 Fundamentals in Following the Prophet, October 2014 GC Talks; Elder Russell M. Nelson’s “Sustaining the Prophets”, President Henry B. Eyring “Continuing Revelations”, Jeffrey R. Holland “Are We Not All Beggars?”

“MAKA FEKE”

The maka feke is a Tongan legend about a rat traveling whom was met by a storm and his canoe began to sink. Afraid, he saw an octopus and asked the octopus if he could hitch a ride and in return he promised payment. The octopus allowed him to sit on his head and took him to land. When the octopus was near shore, the rat jumped off, ran onto dry land and refused to pay the debt. Knowing the octopus’ need for revenge, the Tongans fashion the maka feke; the shell resembles the rats body, the rope its’ tale, and palm tree leaves are used for the legs. When an octopus sees this he will cling on tightly and never let go. In contrast, the adversary in like manner uses the things that we most desire; then we cling on them so tightly that we lose the reality of our true worth and purpose. President Thomas S. Monson taught: “Satan has fashioned so called “Maka Fekes” with which to ensnare unsuspecting persons and take possession of their destinies. Once grasped, such “Maka Fekes” are ever so difficult and sometimes nearly impossible to relinquish.”

 Remember, Lucifer is relentless; he will not rest until we have surrendered our agency and lives to his deceptive and perfectly crafted lures or Maka Fekes. Tempting us to grab a hold tightly is only the beginning; his ultimate goal is to destroy every living soul. We may stay strong, then peek, then pause to investigate, then participate a little until finally our agency and lives have been surrendered to the Maka Feke of pornography, immorality, drugs, pride, hate, revenge, jealousy, envy, apostasy and the likes. Alexander Pope wrote: “Vice is a monster of so frightful mien. As to be hated needs but to be seen, yet seen too oft, familiar with her face, we first endure, then pity, then embrace.” When we grab so tightly to something that is carnal, sensual and worldly in nature, we immediately relinquish our grip from personal agency, move further away from God and lose the ability to see beyond our carnal desires, wants and cravings; just like the octopus that grabs tightly onto the Make Feke, we also may lose everything if we don’t let go.

 

In the American Rocky Mountains, autumn is a time that the trouts are driven by an almost insatiable hunger to feast in order to fortify their bodies against the scarcity of winter food. The fly fisherman knows this behaviour of the trout, studies the weather, water currents and the insects that the trout eats. He handcrafts artificial insects embedded with tiny hooks that are a perfect lure and deception. The trout will reject the slightest flaw. What a thrill it is to see a trout break the surface of the water, inhale the fly, resist until it is finally reeled in. Elder Ballard added: “The use of artificial lures to fool and catch a fish is an example of the way Lucifer often tempts, deceives, and tries to ensnare us. Like the fly fisherman who knows that trout are driven by hunger, Lucifer knows our hunger, or weakness, and tempts us with counterfeit lures which, if taken, can cause us to be yanked from the stream of life into his unmerciful influence. Lucifer will not…let go. His goal is to make his victims as miserable as he is.”  

Nephi warned: “And because he had fallen from heaven, and had become miserable forever, he sought also the misery of all mankind. For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good.” Paul wrote: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” How do we resist and overcome such spiritual power? They are unseen, invisible and often times very subtle. Nephi gives us the simple answer: “Put on the armour of righteousness. Shake off the chain or Maka fekes with which ye are bound, and come forth out of obscurity, and arise from the dust.” And David O. Mackay taught: “Latter Day Saints have the responsibility of thinking pure thoughts, of cherishing high ideals. As long as they do, their actions will be in accordance with those ideals…”And Moroni finishes it off nicely…“Come unto Christ, and lay hold upon every good gift, and touch not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing. And awake, and arise from the dust…and put on thy beautiful garments.” The artificial lures and Maka Fekes of this world, we must not touch nor even entertain, we must separate ourselves from them or as President Hinckley taught: “Push back the World!” then and only then are we empowered by the Spirit of God and his constant protection and companionship.

Love, love, love,

Fale Mahe

Scriptural References: Proverbs 12:5; 15:26, 23:7, Matt 15: 8-18, 23:23-34, Mark 7:18-23, 8:36, Luke 9:47-50, James1:12-27, Galatians 6:7, Jacob 3:1-2, Mosiah 4:30, 5:13, Alma 12:14, 3 Nephi 14: 15-27, Moroni 10:30-33, D&C 6:16, 36, 121 45, President David O Mackay Instructor, Mar. 1965, 86, President Thomas S. Monson “True to the Faith” April 2006, Alexander Pope “An Essay on Man”