Ecclesiastes

Dear Ecclesiastes,

I’ll be honest with you, I think I may have always confused you with your half-cousin, Ephesians. My bad.

Apparently Ecclesiastes’ got a reputation for being kind of a bummer…with an unknown author.

Anyway, the LDS Bible Dictionary says:

“The book of Ecclesiastes consists of reflections on some of the deepest problems of life, as they present themselves to the thoughtful observer.”

 “The author describes himself as “son of David, king in Jerusalem” (1:1).”

The author “…laments that as things appear from the point of view of the world…”

Ecclesiastes “…should not be construed as theological pronouncements on the condition of the soul after death; rather, they are observations by the Preacher about how things appear to men on the earth ‘under the sun.’”

In Ecclesiastes 2, the author describes several ways he sought happiness: pleasure, laughter and mirth, wine, folly, building projects, possessions and riches (v. 1-8). To no avail.

The most famous part of the book is brought to you by the band, the Byrds…”to every thing (turn, turn, turn) there is a season (turn, turn, turn)…” When we take this with the advice of King Benjamin in Mosiah, we learn that we must also do everything not just in its season, but also in its proper order.

Why? Well, I had a baby in high school. There it is. I think things have worked out pretty well for me, and my oldest daughter is happily married with a baby of her own now (in college—not high school!), but I started out my adult life behind the proverbial “eight ball.” It feels like my entire life has been an uphill battle, and I am behind. That’s okay. My life is beautiful, and I wouldn't trade it or my experiences; but I would say that I have learned that there are reasons why we are commanded to do things in their proper season, and in the proper order.

In this season of my life, it is finally time for me finish my formal education. My youngest (of five), is now in preschool, and the Church has opened this program that allows me the opportunity to accomplish this. Like all students in this program, I feel like this is a very personal answer to prayer.

The things that Ecclesiastes teaches me that make me want to be better are to remember that I am accountable to God for the things I say I’ll do, and to watch the worldliness. I don’t consider myself a materialistic ne'er-do-well, but I've got my work cut out, just like everybody else.

The end of Ecclesiastes has some reminders as to our end and the purpose of our being. When we die, we will return to dust, and our spirits back to God. While we are here, our duty lies in keeping the commandments. Our purpose then, is to serve our God who made us, throughout the duration of the days he gives us.

Thanks, Ephesians!

Just kidding, Ecclesiastes, lighten up.