Bishop John H. Vanderberg, Part Two: Henry Ward Beecher and His Nerd Equivalent

 For Part One, Part Three, Part Four, or Part Five, make your choice and click away.

 

 

Bishop John H. Vanderberg, in his talk, "Turn Heavenward Our Eyes", goes on to talk about the importance of making good choices with our lives, when he comes forward with this quote:

The Quote 

"Henry Ward Beecher has said: 

“God asks no man 

whether he will accept life. 

That is not his choice. 

He must take it. 

The only choice is how.” 

Interesting insight, but it's probably not Henry Ward Beecher who said it. At least, I'm unable to find the original source of the quote. 

Oh, well. Not like we haven't come across this problem before.

It does kind of remind me of another quote from another (ahem) wizened character. Can I substitute? Would Bishop Vanderberg approve, I wonder? I hope so.

 

 

Yes, the wizard Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings says something very similar to Frodo to encourage him in his great burden to carry the Ring of Power.

This quote from The Lord of the Rings appears much earlier in the story in the book than in the movie - in Book 1, Chapter 2, entitled The Shadow of the Past. Gandalf sits with Frodo in Bag End, and tells him he has the master ring of the Dark Lord, and Sauron is seeking it - seeking him. He and all he loves are in terrible danger.

 

‘I wish it need not have happened in my time,’ said Frodo.

‘So do I,’ said Gandalf, 

‘and so do all who live to see such times. 

But that is not for them to decide. 

All we have to decide 

is what to do with the time that is given us.

 

I hope at some point J.R.R. Tolkien will join the pantheon of quoted authors from General Conference - he's one of my favorite writers of all time, and my 13th cousin once removed. 

But for the moment, I will content myself with this unofficial nod and this lovely quote on choice and agency - a great gift God gives each one of us. Hopefully we will all learn to choose well.