Giving the Finger

Peace be with you my friends.  Peace be with you this very moment.

I had the opportunity to watch the movie Willow a few weeks ago.  It never ceases to amaze me and create wonder and awe that as I move to new levels of spiritual growth that old things become new.  I love this scripture in the Book of Mormon:  "And it came to pass that when Jesus had said these words he perceived that there were some among them who marveled, and wondered what he would concerning the law of Moses; for they understood not the saying that old things had passed away, and that all things had become new. And he said unto them: Marvel not that I said unto you that old things had passed away, and that all things had become new" (3Nephi 15:2-3).  The Apostle Paul spoke well when he said:  "Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God" (2Corinthians 5:16-18).  This was true when I watched Willow again for the "first time" since I began taking my Millennial Mormon journey.

As you may recall, the High Aldwin is seeking a new apprentice.  There are three candidates and Willow is among them.  The test the High Aldwin gives is that he holds up three fingers and asks "which finger has the power to control the universe?"  The candidates, including Willow, choose one of the High Aldwin's fingers.  Willow being the last to choose fails the test along with the others.  Later, the High Aldwin asks him what was going through his mind before he chose.  Willow tells him his first thought was to choose HIS OWN FINGER.  The High Aldwin then tells Willow that this was the correct answer and that Willow lacks confidence in himself.

This theme is particularly familiar to Millennial Mormons who are moving beyond living externally and are now living more internally and consciously.  They are filled with more awareness of their ability to create or "control the universe" and the consequences of this agency.  They know that God will not give them this understanding until they are ready.  Line upon line.  Precept upon precept.

Few will recognize how this theme in Willow parallels the endowment in many ways.  In the endowment we undergo a series of tests that we fail (to understand) up until "the very end".  The uber literalist or carnal man/woman will see the endowment as a series of tests that he or she passes and will congratulate himself or herself for having all "the keywords, the signs and tokens" recited correctly.  Like Willow, we may lack confidence in ourselves because we have forgotten who we are.  As a result, we will desperately search for messengers to show us what we are to do.  However, we will never be able to "take upon ourselves" an apprenticeship with the High Aldwin until we have confidence in ourselves and choose our own finger so to speak.  Natural men and women wandering in the Telestial wilderness will continue to wander until they are ready for the next step in their spiritual journey to enter an internal promised land.

It is also interesting to note that the High Aldwin has a ritual that is called "consulting the bones".  As he consults the bones, he whispers to Willow that the "bones tell him nothing."  The bones do serve a purpose however, but to the uninitiated the bones mean something different.   The bones to the uninitiated are more literal rather than spiritual or symbolic.  The uninitiated do not know or understand the true purpose of the bones and therefore will "praise the bones."  Let those who have ears, let them hear.

The High Aldwin is wise and can perform miraculous things that few understand how to do.  He is caring and compassionate.  In the end, Willow goes on a long and dynamic quest and eventually finds his own confidence and becomes like the High Aldwin.

I love this movie but now that I see it with millennial eyes, I love it even more.

I hope you find old things that have become new to you in your millennial journey.  Please feel free to share them in your comments or email me at millennialmormon@gmail.com. 

Peace be with you my friends.  Now and forever.