As a Man Thinketh...

That title, drawn from I think Proverbs 23:7, and popularized a generation ago by a James Allen book by the same name, aptly describes the subtle, and not so subtle, messaging we see all around us that seeks to influence what we think. The elevators in every building we visit now have a fairly constant stream of advertising seeking to persuade us to invest in some resort property on Phu Quoc island, or to use the Koreno Korean noodles that come in delightful flavors and cook in only “4 phut,” or to just preserve every drop of fresh water possible. Thankfully, they do at least turn off the monitors in most places as night draws on, so we can occasionally leave early or return late enough to have a moment to reflect before entering the door. 

These posters highlighting the theme of Faith, Hope and Charity, prepared for the May 2016 Recognition Event, continue to remind us, and passers-by at the Mission Office, of key gospel virtues and values.

We use a lot of ride-sharing services here, as the mission does not yet find it suitable to own or operate a vehicle. We noted this past week that the Uber cars now often sport a wrap on the doors advertising some services or products- to which  I paid no attention obviously as I cannot recall much  other than the color scheme of the advertisement. I asked the driver about it, and he replied that the option had just begun, and allowed them an added 1.5 million a month, which in this economy might be the difference between school fees for a child or not. Buses, taxis, Ubers, and I guess even rooftops are now all advertising space, up for sale, to persuade us what to think, do, buy or use.

We have not eaten at the local eatery named “Propaganda” though likely we have ordered from a sister institution, which might have been termed “Mind Control.” For me, they might only have to sell good ice cream, as we are highly vulnerable to that staple of living. Although we do know, thanks to Sister Ha, about the weekly two for one special at Swensen’s, and have frequented it on our transposed date night for just such skin-flint reasons, we have not yet suffered ourselves to sample and catalog ALL the various options from Fanny, Trang Tien and so on, but we can speak very highly of the very high quality and niche flavors of 2Cream made and marketed by our own Sister Tan. (The name is a word play in Vietnamese- Hai Kem- 2 Cream, sounds the same as Hay Kem- Great Cream.) We adore the Passion Fruit, Cinnamon, and Salted Caramel- plus they deliver, though maybe not as far as Mount Vernon.

Even the artichoke flavor prompts delight.

But I digress. In walking about, it is hard to miss the banners, placards, billboards and other signage that proclaim the admonitions of the state, the party and related interests. Yet at the same time, these sometimes just seem to fade into the background as so much visual noise to be tuned out. As a young missionary, I found them a useful source of learning new vocabulary. “Nothing is more precious that liberty, independence and happiness” was the first one I decoded, and remains common to this day, though sometimes the last state is dropped. And many of the admonitions are noble and desired ends, like this one, “Help put an end to human trafficking.”

With no competition from commercial messaging, the public spaces can convey the official messages readily.

                                 

All should do something specific to contribute to the care for the families of Veterans

                              

                                 

Unlike the more subtle messaging that may underlay the elevator persuasion to take on the good life of wealth, or convenience or such, these are unmistakably state-sponsored propaganda. The style, the messages, the mode of presentation, all say, “Your government and leaders encourage you to be good citizens, do good and heroic deeds, and take responsibility for making society better.”

Entrance bas relief of a house that seems to have been prepared to become a new branch meeting place, though we may have to encourage a tad bit of Latin study...

I ask myself what the difference is between this kind of message, which to me seems to be largely ignored, and the admonitions we find on countless Facebook memes, in MormonAds for youth, or even in the scriptures, such as Deuteronomy 6, which commands us to keep his words “in thine heart…and bind them for a sign upon thine hand…and thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.” Is God just a different kind of mind-control operation than the ones with varying motivations that I have described and experienced here?

The message of the gospel has prompted countless platitudes, which may be just as easily ignored, and pushed into the backdrop “noise” or static of life, until we have those moments, when with the fire of the spirit, we allow them to enter into the fleshy tablets of our  heart. Those are the moments when the message resonates with a familiar and warmly reassuring surety that it is both true, and given out of a pure and undiluted love for us. Then it ceases to be propaganda or mind-control, and becomes part of who we are, who we hope to become, and also, whence we have come. “Did not I speak peace unto thy heart?” he will ask, and we shall all answer.

The task of bringing that message to the entrance into the heart, at such a time and moment when the heart is open, and when the spirit present such that that fire can be ignited, is the very challenge of parenthood, of teaching, of missionary effort, and of leadership. Because the truth is that he is not seeking to control our minds or thinking at all, but rather inviting us to yield our sullied motives and conflicted wants to a oneness with his, in virtuous, totally loving purity, such that "without compulsory means" we share in his virtues and life completely and of our own choosing. I want that, though an occasional reminder to "shape up" is still required!