I would like to share a little something that Steve Holiday, author/director of the Fact of Twilight, included on the back of the program during production.
Each of the characters in our story is a lost soul, searching for validation, love, or acceptance; and much like each of us, they are each given the opportunity to help another on the journey toward redemption. Sometimes we discover that our greatest purpose is that opportunity; and often, we find that that person is the least convenient of souls.
Have you ever had someone turn their back on you only to find that you need each other? Have you ever met someone with vastly different values or standards than you, and written them off, only to find that your growth depends on them?
Why is it that there are some topics that we refuse to talk about as a society? If we do talk about them, it is only in indecent corners and immoral stairwells. Those who champion these topics are an extreme minority of the left, and, unfortunately, see sexuality and religious liberalism as topics to force on the majority through entertainment and locker rooms. When these topics are pushed on us by this small demograpic, we bury them deeper and talk about them less. And, when our children are old enough to need to know about such topics, they end up learning them by the only available means-that extreme minority that we tried so hard to shun in the first place. Is it any wonder that our youth falter? Does it come as a surprise that they eventually come pleadingly to us for guidance? Does it disgust you that there are many who refuse to embrace and help those who need us the most?
I believe that it is our responsibility to educate. I believe that there is a time and a place for everything, and that sacred things must not be taken lightly. But I also believe that we have a sacred responsibility to "lift the hands that hand," as the late Neal Maxwell said. And if we do not, we may just be given another "opportunity" to get things right before we receive our exaltation. This is the theme of our story this evening. Max Tivoli said, "we are each the love of someone's life," and the scriptures teach that "we are assigned angels in Heaven." Perhaps by utilizing both of these tools we can make sense of this life.
I find that so very inspiring. I got to read the play while it was in the process going through the department. I got to read as Gwen, the main character who finally finds herself home after a "lifetime" of searching. I want a copy of the script, as a literary reference. It was so well-written and so profound and universal. Gwen isn't religious, but the show is filled with little references to our doctrine and the show takes place in a limbo, if you will, a kind of spiritual prison that she is kept in until she fully accepts her death and understands what she has to learn before she can go home. What joy when she steps through the door and finds all she is looking for! What pain to not understand! I try so hard to be open-minded and understanding, because I don't fully know who I am yet. I don't know what it is I want to do in life. I admire so much the people who do one thing for so long, and then realize what else is out there in the world. And they realize that theatre or music or writing is not actually their passion. They want to help people. They want to be instruments in the Lord's hands and be His tools to save the lives of other people. They want their life to be so filled with God's love that they no longer think about themselves. They are the Lord's. Their nature is changed.
I had a hard time grasping the idea of the Atonement. In our Mormon pop culture, we talk about certain ideas and themes that just don't really make a lot of sense to me. I mean, I think I understand them, but it wasn't until a couple weeks ago that I really realized that Christ atoned for my sins. I don't have to repent of my sins. (Just wait for it, please don't freak out) My sins are forgiven and I am clean. "No unclean thing can dwell in the presence of God." I am going to be in the presence of God at the end of my life so that I can be judged of Him. And the only way that I can be in His presence is if my sins are already washed clean. I will be clean. Everyone will be clean. It's not the sins that matter. It's the nature. Christ is going to look in my heart and see that I am still fallen, that I am still carnal, sensual and devilish. He is going to see that I cannot no longer dwell in His presence and I will be resurrected to a telestial state. But if I can change my nature now, if through the process of repentance I am no longer enticed by the things of the world, but by the things of the Lord, I can be exalted and remain in His presence. I never realized that before. I was sitting in class the other day and all of a sudden it hit me. I am fallen. There is nothing I can do about it. I am utterly wretched. But that's why the Atonement and the mercy and grace of God are so wonderful. I walked away that day feeling happier than I have in a long time, all because I realized that with the help of Christ, I can change my nature and become like Him. I used to think that I could fix all my problems myself. I'm too prideful to ask for help. I wanted to be perfect before I came to Christ. But I have to come to Christ to be perfected in Him. I cannot do it on my own. There is no way. But with His help, I can change. What joy and rapture I feel when I ponder the immensity of His grace! It is possible for me to shake off the natural man and come to stand before God.
Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.
-Max Ehrmann, DESIDERATA
